Big game tonight in the NBA as two star-studded, but very different
teams take each other on for the first time this season. Los Angeles has
struggled to get everyone healthy and on the court while Miami has been
relatively healthy this year. Here are the keys to tonight’s game:
·
Defense.
I can’t stress this enough, the Lakers need to help
each other out on the defensive end to have a chance to win tonight. Metta World Peace is a great defender, and has the strength to bang with LeBron James
in the post, but he can’t stay with him on the perimeter, as James constantly
drives in against bulkier opponents like World Peace. Earl Clark, on the other
hand, is too much of a light weight to handle LeBron in the post. Help defense
will be required, more than likely from Dwight Howard, but the other players
have to rotate to help Howard. Make Miami take jump shots, and not layups and
dunks. Kobe Bryant will likely be
covering Dwyane Wade in what is the most balanced matchup of the night and
Bryant better be ready for the physical game Wade brings to the table. He’s not
Kyrie Irving or Brandon Jennings (speedster point guards with good jumpers), Wade is a
whole other beast. I expect Bryant to sag off of Wade, as he is not the best 3
point shooter (Wade knows this and his limited his outside jumpers the past
couple of years. He has only taken 39 three pointers this season). Wade is
fast, agile and can jump out of the building. Think of him as a 6’4’’ version
of James, as he is physically gifted and has great vision and passing ability to
accompany his drive heavy offensive game. If at all possible, the Lakers want to
make Chris Bosh and Co. beat them, not James or Wade. It’s possible for the
Lakers to play the old Kobe Defense teams used to do against them. Let James
play one on one with World Peace and don’t send too much help D, while putting
the clamps on the rest of James’ teammates, though I seriously doubt they go
this route.
· Rebounding.
The Heat are a notoriously bad rebounding team, they
are 30th in rebounds, and are 5th in opponent rebounding.
The Lakers need to take advantage and get second chance opportunities for
themselves, while limiting the second chance opportunities for Miami. The
Lakers way out size and out bulk the Heat with Howard in the middle, and
complimentary pieces like the 6’10’’ Clark and Pau Gasol (who will play
tonight). The Lakers are 8th in rebounding,
and 14th in opponent rebounding. Los Angeles needs to come out
crashing the boards with energy to have a shot at winning.
·
Sink
their open jumpshots.
We know the offensive skills of Bryant and Howard will
be the main work force for the Lakers tonight, but when Bryant, Howard and
Steve Nash pass the ball, the role players need to be prepared to sink their
jumpers. World Peace needs to be consistent from deep, as well as Antawn Jamison
and to a lesser extent, Clark from mid-range. This extends to free throws as well; the Lakers
can’t leave points on the board and expect to beat the defending champions.
·
Pound
the ball down low.
Miami is a very undersized team. Their tallest player who
gets regular minutes is Bosh at 6’10’’ and there’s no way he could handle
Howard in the post, as Bosh only weighs 228 pounds to Howard’s 265 pounds.
Miami’s starting center is Joel Anthony, who is also a bit undersized for the
position (6’9’’, 245 lb). If the Lakers establish their dominance down low with
Howard and Gasol, it could open up the game for shooters like Jamison and
Meeks.
·
Last
but not least: Limit turnovers.
Against most teams, turnovers will keep the Lakers
down, but not out. Against Miami, turnovers will completely take Los Angeles
out of the game. Miami is the best fastbreak team in the NBA, mostly on the
speed and athleticism of Wade and James. Considering how much older and slower
the Lakers are, they can’t afford to make this game a track meet. Grind out
possessions and take care of the ball and L.A. has a chance.
The good news for the Lakers is Gasol is coming back tonight, but he
will be coming off the bench. His size will be important for rebounding
purposes and help defense. Gasol will most likely anchor the second unit when
Bryant, Howard and Nash go out of the game late in the first quarter, early in
the second quarter. The big story tonight is Kobe vs. LeBron, but if the Lakers let it get to that, they will lose tonight. A team game must be played in order to beat Miami.
