Here we are again.
Coming off a loss and heading into a game that by every sense of the phrase is a must-win.
You know the stats:
Heat have won last 13 playoff games following a loss. In those games, LeBron James is averaging 30.2 points a game on nearly 55% shooting
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) June 11, 2014
The @MiamiHEAT have a 2-0 series record when trailing 2-1 in the James-Wade-Bosh era (since 2011 playoffs).
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) June 11, 2014
At the end of the day these are just numbers. Numbers that make you or I feel better about tonight’s Game 4, but in reality have no real impact for who will be victorious.
The only thing that will make an impact for the winner of this game, is if Miami can do what they’ve done so well over the years: adjust.
Game 3 featured a bloodbath of a 1st Half, where it seemed like the Spurs were having a shoot-a-round rather than playing for a Championship.
Despite this, the Heat found away to claw all the way back to single digits in the 3rd quarter, thanks to beautiful lock down defense.
41 points in the 1st, 30 in the 2nd….15 in the 3rd!?!?
That’s the kind of defensive play Miami needs for 4 quarters (as Spo put it in the post game presser after Game 3). In addition, Kawhi Leonard has proven he’s capable of taking over this series.
If Miami can take him out of rhythm early, like they did in Games 1 and 2, and play that strong defense we know they’re capable of, the rest should come naturally.
Tonight, (and it won’t be the last time this happens), makes the difference between a dream being shattered, or the hope of a Trey by the Bay staying alive.
Lose, and it’s a 3-1 hole against one of the greatest coaches of all-time.
Win and it’s a 2-2 tie, with a Best of 3 for the championship.
Forget all the Melo talk, or the opt-out talk, or even the Chalmers disappearing talk (though we miss you Rio, please come home).
We’ll cross those bridges when we get to them.
Whether LeBron and Company will admit it or not, the Finals do define legacies, at least in the eyes of the media.
We’ve asked so much out of this team over they years, (nearly 100 playoffs game to be exact), that it seems greedy to ask for more.
They can take it though. They’re one of the most situationally tested teams in NBA History, and have been in this particular situation time and time again.
Down 2-1, backs against the wall.
It’s fall or rise.
Jun 10, 2014; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat forward LeBron James (6) reacts during the first half of game three of the 2014 NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports