Miami Heat adjustment No. 5: Hit escape on the zone defense and switching
The Miami Heat has deployed different varieties of their zone defenses throughout the regular season as it also has been effective in the playoffs up until this point. It helped during their matchups against Giannis Antetoukoumpo and Jayson Tatum as they were able to limit fast break points, force possessions deep into the shot clock, and make it difficult for teams to get to the basket.
This strategy failed to work during Game 1 as the Lakers caught fire from behind the arc and forced the Heat to man up. The Lakers tied a playoff franchise record for the most 3-pointers made in a half with 11 before halftime and made 15 total for the game.
A head coach can become susceptible to get headaches while trying to come up with ideas to try and slow Davis, but no matter what teams throw his direction, he always adjusts and finds ways to make plays. It’s difficult trying to stop Davis in transition as he has developed a habit of getting out into the fastbreak early forcing smaller defenders to guard him which usually leads to and-1’s or easy dunks and layups.
The Heat tried to double down on him but Davis just simply found his open teammates around the perimeter with his precision passing putting them in positions to score while racking up assists in the process. The Heat also tried to deny Davis the ball by fronting him with multiple players, but Davis still found ways to get the ball in his hands and do damage. Spoelstra will just have to focus on slowing the Lakers bench and role players as they really have no answers for James and Davis.