The Miami Heat sustained a few injuries in Game 1 against the Lakers. That and there paint dominance might get more shooting into the Heat rotation.
The Miami Heat were blasted by the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 1 of the NBA Finals. Hands down, there is no excuse about it.
They were also beaten down by the injury bug by the end of the game, with Goran Dragic and Bam Adebayo currently listed as doubtful for Friday’s Game 2 contest. That isn’t the only thing plaguing the Heat as they head into Game 2 though.
They were manhandled at times in the paint, near the rim, and on the boards. They need to address that.
They were also seemingly outgunned at times and even run off the court by the Lakers’ offensive onslaught by the end. Here’s the thing though, between being outmatched in the paint area, on the glass, and the injuries they have to deal with, it may just help them unlock some things.
Look, this Lakers team is bigger and with more top-end talent. Simply put, their best players are better than our best players.
The Miami Heat were owned in the paint in Game 1, while they were blasted offensively. Luckily for them, they can address both issues simultaneously.
That’s only the top two though, as if you took the top two guys in this series, they would have them. Players 3-10 though likely goes to Miami.
In order to overcome that disparity in size and talent, the Miami Heat will have to be their best when it comes to shooting the ball from the outside. They are going to have to shoot themselves back into this thing and the Lakers out of it.
What the injuries mean is that Kelly Olynyk, Meyers Leonard, and others will likely see time. Even if just KO and Meyers Leonard, that inevitably means that there will be more shooting on the floor, as they are the best shooters as big men that the Miami Heat have.
Heck, they are two of their biggest players as well. You also look at these facts through the lens of being outmatched in the paint. Not only do they add more shooting to the lineup, but at least they give you a big body to put between the Lakers’ big bodies and the rim.
You can’t make up for the production that will be missing without Bam and Goran Dragic in the lineup, but you can switch up your attack by adding more size and especially if that size comes with some of your best shooting as a team.
Kelly Olynyk and Meyers Leonard fit those roles perfectly. That’s how matchups and Miami Heat injuries might innately bring more shooting into the lineup.