Two of the Heat's biggest punching bags (Chris Bosh and Norris Cole) quieted fans by putting the team on their backs.
The oft criticized Bosh found his shooting stroke in Game 3 while pulling down his playoff career high in rebounds (19). Likewise, Cole has been a shooting machine—only missing four shots (16-20) in three games. And his defense against Chicago's Nate Robinson has been a turning point in the series.
Miami's free agent steals, Shane Battier and Ray Allen have been streaky at best as neither player can seem to find a rhythm against the abusive Bulls.
The Heat went into Chicago like they left their defense in Miami. Honestly, at times during the series their defense looked like they left it on South Beach. And the former Bulls bench (Jimmy Butler, Nate Robinson and Marco Belinelli) reaped the benefits.
As a result of injuries, they were able to step in and showcase their games while exploiting Miami's tendency to leave them open.
The answer is no. Although Dwyane Wade has become known for his struggles in Chicago, his game has actually been quiet but efficient.
We don't know if injuries have played a part in his play or if he was just taking a back seat, but Wade has been shooting a high percentage—when he actually does shoot.
“Would I ever have thought five years ago that I’d be in a playoff game and I’d take seven shots — hell no — but at the end of the game, was I [upset] about it? No,” Wade said (via the Miami Herald). “We won; I moved on; had a great dinner.”
Despite taking over plenty of fourth quarters, LeBron James has sleepwalked through six of the eight quarters of Games 1 and 3. His laid back approach has been one sure to give Heat fans heart problems.
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