Miami Heat: We knew this team had some of that on-brand defense in them
When you look at the way that Duncan Robinson has pursued passes to close out on shooters or when you look at the way that Kelly Olynyk has put his body between drivers with reckless abandon and the basket, it displays that Miami Heat defense and effort.
When you look at the defensive effort, want to, will, and the motor that Goran Dragic has played with all postseason long and the fact that he stays on the glass for a man of his size, that’s the Miami Heat defense and effort.
When you see Tyler Herro blasting up through the top of the lane to follow a Kyle Korver, knowing one inch of daylight could be a big-time splash for one of the league’s greatest deep shooters ever, you again, see that Miami Heat defense and effort.
When Jae Crowder, at a clear disadvantage, still leads with his chest to guard Giannis Antetokounmpo like it’s a fair matchup or when the entire team swarms him or anybody else like a hive of angry bees, that’s Miami Heat defense. It’s what this culture was built on.
The Miami Heat still have to come out for the remainder of this series and do the work, so they won’t sleep on these Bucks or their laurels, as we mentioned. One thing is for certain though, if they can continue to play their brand of ball and especially their type of defense, beating then once will be tough for anybody, nonetheless four out of five contests.
That’s why we feel good about our chances moving forward and where we are right now. That’s also why we definitely love to see them playing with a Miami Heat type of effort and definitely when it’s apart of that Miami Heat defense.