Miami Heat: Father Prime gives it his all, but series goes to 3-1
Miami Heat star Dwyane Wade put on yet another show.
Washed.
That’s what many people have been calling Dwyane Wade over the last couple of years. But the Miami Heat star doesn’t pay them any mind.
Instead, he goes and scores 25 points in 25 minutes in Game 4 against the Philadelphia 76ers.
Although the Heat ended up falling short, 106-102, they battled it out until the end. Even causing Justise Winslow to get four stitches above his eye, and Josh Richardson to sustain a shoulder strain.
The first quarter started off shaky. It was obvious Miami was nervous, trying to keep up with Philadelphia’s pace rather than try and set the tone themselves. Still, mistakes aside, they were able to tie things up at 26-26, by the end of the first.
It was during the second quarter that things got interesting. While Goran Dragic was heating up, it was James Johnson who stole the show. As Dragic went up for a layup, he was shoved to the ground by Robert Covington, causing Johnson to take matters into his own hands. The black belt, MMA fighter (who has seven knockouts to his name) ended up squaring off with Ben Simmons, and suddenly an entire slew of Heat coaches were on the court to separate the two.
The craziest part being that on the other end of the floor, Richardson, Winslow and Joel Embiid were all sprawled, having collided over a loose ball.
Miami would go into the half up 61-56.
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Unfortunately, the third quarter then once again got the best of the Heat. While both Dragic and Wade continued to find their rhythm, the 76ers went on a 14-0 run with nine minutes left, and never looked back.
Wade almost got Miami afloat in the fourth, starting with a clutch 3-pointer that cut Philadelphia’s lead to just three points. But in the end, the Heat couldn’t hold on.
X-Factor: Hassan Whiteside
That’s right.
After hearing nothing but criticism since the playoffs started, the big man had enough; Whiteside finished the game with 13 points on 6-of-9 shooting, and 13 rebounds. He was aggressive, energetic, and ready to take down Embiid.
The best part? He was finally having fun again, including completing two beautiful alley-oops, both from Richardson.
Keys to Game 5
There is no reason to believe this series is over. Say what you want about the improbability of overcoming a 3-1 lead, but Miami has done it before (in 1997, against the New York Knicks).
However, it won’t be easy. And some adjustments have to be made before Tuesday evening.
The biggest being figuring out lineups; a seemingly never-ending narrative this season.
Whether it’s playing Whiteside and Kelly Olynyk together more, or incorporating Rodney McGruder period, head coach Erik Spoelstra still has some work to do. Perhaps a tall order this far into the first round, but not impossible.
Next: Are the Miami Heat just not utilizing Hassan Whiteside correctly?
The Miami Heat head back to Philadelphia on Tuesday, for Game 5.