Game 2 of
the NBA finals is almost underway so I thought I’d give my two cents and make some
bold predictions. I’ve got 5 different statements to make in regards to this
particular game. Here we go:
1. LeBron
will have another triple-double. In his game 1 performance, although the
Heat lost, LeBron played spectacular. He is the best player in the world and
that is not a dispute. LeBron scored 16 points, and had 18 rebounds and 10
assists. In tonight’s game, he’ll put up at least 20-24 points, and grab 15 rebounds
and dish out 10 or 11 assists. This will mark his fourth triple-double in the
NBA finals. LeBron successfully found Ray Allen and Mike Miller around the
perimeter in game 1 and will do the same tonight, as he manipulates the Spurs
defense. The Spurs are excellent at crowding the paint and forcing jump shots,
so LeBron will play right into that scheme and create offense for his
supporting cast of knock-down three point shooters.
2. Chris
Bosh will score less than 10 points. Miami’s big three has looked like a
big 2 with a dinosaur struggling to find his shot over the past week or so.
Bosh shot 3-13 in game 7 against the Pacers and went 6-16 in game 1 against the
Spurs. He also missed a crucial three-pointer with 1 minute left in game 1.
Bosh must stop shooting such ill-advised threes. He is playing right into the
defensive scheme of San Antonio and now is mentally unstable, posing him to be
a better asset to San Antonio rather than to Miami. Popovich will make sure
that Bosh find his looks around the perimeter, and as long as his shots aren’t
straight away or in the corners, Chris will surely continue to struggle, and
his team will pay the price.
3. Spurs
three-point shooters will go off tonight. I expect Kawhi Leonard and Danny
Green to play a much bigger role on offense tonight than in game 1. Green went
4-9 from downtown on Thursday, and Kawhi went 0-4. The two of them have played
exceptional defense on Wade and LeBron, but prepare for the two Spurs to make a
splash on offense as well as defense, although their offensive energy tonight
may deter their ability to defend. I do not believe that the Spurs will have to
trade great defense for great offense, but LeBron and Wade will shoot more
efficiently tonight, which brings me to my next prediction…
4. Wade
will have a career night. I know I said LeBron will have a triple-double,
and that the supporting cast of shooters will hit their threes, but with Bosh’s
struggles continuing, Wade will feel the need to step up his play and take care
of business. Wade scored 17 points in the game 1 loss on 7-15 shooting. That
stat line isn’t terrible, but I expect Wade to go 11-16 tonight, or something
close to that. Wade needs to prove the analysts wrong and show that his knees
are not that weak. Wade will continue
to out muscle Danny Green in the post and put the moves on the Spurs guard.
Especially when Dwayne goes into isolation mode, he might be more dangerous
than LeBron (might be, but probably not). Wade’s turnaround jumper or double
take spin move was effective on Thursday, and as long as Dwayne gets to the
free throw line (he was 3-4 in game 1), I expect the Heat to have no problem
tonight.
5. Manu
Ginobili’s struggles continue. Like the Heat, the Spurs are suffering from
what I like to call: unofficial big three syndrome. This syndrome affects all
teams at some point in their lives, where a leg of a star dependent three
player system suddenly fails due to poor shot selection, old age, or simple
“not feeling it” problems. These problems might arise from good defense or
miscellaneous factors such as clubbing with a famous pop star (assuming JR
Smith is part of NYK’s big three). Manu went 4-11 in game 1, and is likely to
post a similar, if not worse stat line tonight. I’m glad to say that Manu had 3
assists and 2 steals, showing that he isn’t just a burst off the bench, but
rather a complete player. However, Manu is suffering from unofficial big three
syndrome just like Chris Bosh, and both will not be a positive factor for the
Spurs in tonight’s game.
With all
this being said, I would also like to point out that the Miami Heat have not
lost 2 games in a row since January 10th. LeBron will play like a
man possessed tonight and will his team to victory. I doubt that he will let
Chris Bosh determine the fate of the team again. LeBron must play more
aggressive basketball, and definitely take more than 16 shots, but that’s on
the defensive play of Kawhi Leonard. LeBron will be more assertive and try to
get Leonard in foul trouble early, and if that isn’t possible, he’ll shoot the
lights out of American Airlines Arena. In a series where every possession
matters, the Miami Heat must take care of the basketball and not turn it over
as much. Meaning LeBron will go off, and he will, without a doubt.
Miami 100
Spurs 92
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