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In a series of blowouts, it’s often hard to find the right words to say. A friend even joked that this article should just simply say, “See Game 3’s article,” but I’m not sure that the Miami Heat got what they deserved this time. They were simply outplayed.
This one can’t be blamed on a lack of energy or lack of aggression because Miami came out trying to force the ball down the San Antonio Spurs’ throats. But the Spurs were better.
Coach Gregg Popovich countered Miami’s small ball with Manu Ginobili and all of the sudden the man who was mulling retirement had a throwback game like Dwyane Wade — vintage performances from two guys that the media left for dead — similar to the way they did to each team after the other one won.
Something about this loss feels worse for the Heat though. No matter how much they came back, you never felt like the Spurs were in danger. It was like Miami used all of their energy early and whatever they had left was used to blow opportunities.
It may have taking that for them to realize that relying on third quarter comebacks is not going to work. Not in these Finals, not against these Spurs. So I guess we’ll have to wait to see if it was a lesson learned. Too bad that doesn’t solve their other problem. Just ask LeBron James.
“We’re well overdue when it’s time for us to win consecutive games,” he said Saturday via USAtoday.com. “We’re at 11 or 12 straight consecutive win-loss, win-loss, win-loss. I think it’s time. Enough is enough for our team.”
With the Heat one game away from vacation, they have to have the ultimate sense of urgency. Because up until now, the teams “we do better with our backs against the wall” motto has been bordering on arrogance. They talk as if being in the NBA Finals against the four-time champs isn’t enough pressure to get them going.
Now they have to win two games in a row to win the title or this year has been a failure. They haven’t won back-to-back games in a month, so I really don’t expect them to do it now.
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Richard Nurse is a Miami Heat columnist for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @blackirishpr.
