InsiderSpecial: Cooling Off Wade


Something had to give. Indiana had won six consecutive playoff games by double-digit margins. But Miami had won 16 straight home games. Behind Dwyane Wade's 14 fourth-quarter points, the Miami Heat won Game 3 and have hope to now tie the series before heading back to Indiana.

Throughout the playoffs, the rookie Wade has played like anything but. In fact, he has been Miami's best player in the clutch. Remember, Wade hit two game-winning shots in the New Orleans series.

Let's break down some reasons why Miami has a chance to get back in the series and what both teams' adjustments might be.

What has worked?
Miami got just enough fastbreak points to survive in Game 3. Even though Wade and Lamar Odom have turned into superb players when it comes to creating their own shot, Miami knows that in a half-court game it has no chance to win this series. The Heat have to continue to attack and create a quicker offensive tempo before Indiana can lock into its defense. Miami has done a great job of getting offensive rebounds, and Indiana's inability to protect the defensive boards has to be a concern at this point.

Indiana still has had success posting up a variety of players -- Jermaine O'Neal, Ron Artest, Al Harrington and even Jonathan Bender.


Eddie Jones
Shooting Guard
Miami Heat
Profile


SERIES GAME LOG
GM PTS AST REB FGs 3PTs
Gm 1 4 2 2 1-3 1-2
Gm 2 9 2 2 2-6 1-3
Gm 3 12 2 3 4-12 2-5
Defensively, Indiana has done a good job of taking Eddie Jones out of this series. It looks as if Eddie's confidence is a little shaky, with the Pacers doing a great job of staying attached when Jones comes off screens. Eddie has adjusted somewhat and picked some nice assists by catching the pass and immediately hitting the big man stepping out or rolling to the basket. Indiana's big men are doing a nice job of stepping out to help with the pin-downs, not letting Jones get into the lane with his tight curls. Artest has also done his usual great job of not letting Caron Butler get off.

What hasn't worked?
Indiana has made a concentrated effort to get O'Neal going offensively. Even though Jermaine had 29 points in a great effort in Game 3, it has been a struggle to get easy looks at the rim.

First of all, Miami has been prepared on O'Neal's tendencies in the half court and where Jermaine wants to catch the ball in the Pacers' sets. Brian Grant has played him extremely physical, fronting him up to the free-throw line at times and not letting him back down after he catches the ball. If he does get by Grant, there is help from Odom, Udonis Haslem or now Malik Allen.

Offensively, the Heat just can't get Jones going. Possibly Eddie is wearing down somewhat, exerting so much energy shutting down Reggie Miller. Miller only got two shot attempts in Game 3 after hitting the Heat for 19 points in Game 2.

What adjustments have been made?

Jamaal Tinsley
Point Guard
Indiana Pacers
Profile


SERIES GAME LOG
GM PTS AST REB FGs 3PTs
Gm 1 17 5 2 6-7 5-6
Gm 2 1 9 2 0-1 0-1
Gm 3 16 5 3 6-8 4-5
Coach Rick Carlisle has done a good job of getting Jamaal Tinsley into areas where he's ready to take the open shot when his man leaves to help double the post. Tinsley has had two huge games knocking down the outside shot. I still expect coach Stan Van Gundy to keep testing Jamaal, making him do it again and again as the games become even more important.

Miami has found that Allen can contribute and is giving him important minutes backing up the front line. Malik hit five consecutive shots to help the Heat stay in front in the first half Monday. Along with Rasual Butler, the Heat have increased its rotation to as many as nine players, and that is giving the starters some help since the Pacers are playing 10 men with success.

Rafer Alston is playing nicely as a point, allowing Wade to look to score even more as an off guard. Look for this to continue as Jones searches for points.

What adjustments still need to be made?
I don't know how much adjusting can be done at this point, since they know each other so well. But the team that straightens out the following will have a huge edge in capturing Wednesday night's Game 4.

# As much as Miami loves to play extremely aggressive and physical on defense by rotating and trapping, its must find a way to play without fouling so much. Indiana has been able to get to the line far too much. The Pacers had nine straight free throws in the fourth quarter Monday night to take the lead, although the lead didn't hold up. Plus, the Heat's depth is not as good, and Miami needs its best players playing, not sitting due to foul problems.

# Miami must also try to limit the one big Indiana spurt somewhere in each game. The Pacers capitalize on at least one big run to give them an edge in each game. Miami has played them even if you take away the one outburst.

# The Pacers have to do a better job of building a wall on Wade and do everything they can to keep him out of the lane. Dwyane made seven field goals Monday night, almost exclusively driving the ball to the basket or receiving a pass on a backdoor cut. The Pacers have to shut down his drives and make him make jump shots.