The Heat don’t have a stellar offense, and when faced with an (underrated) Nuggets-quality defense that’s mobile, big and aggressive, that can quickly become a big problem. Like last night, since Miami had only scored 63 points after three quarters, after being up to 24 points behind (84-60)! What to satisfy Mike Malone.
“There are a lot of things that I liked. To hold this team to 93 points… With only 40% shooting… 33% from 3-pointers, which is less than their 39% in the playoffs…And perhaps the most impressive defensive stat is that we only suffered two free throws. We know that Jimmy Butler is one of the best players in the league to get free throws. Limiting this team to only two free throws in the game is a very good job, while defending without making a mistake. »
Aaron Gordon and Michael Porter Jr. lock the wings
As the Nuggets coach emphasizes the quality of the defense on Jimmy Butler, he highlights Aaron Gordon. After containing Kevin Durant and LeBron James, Gordon took care of Jimmy Butler and his stature and his ability to stay on his feet were invaluable. It was he who recovered the now traditional chain of the Defensive Player of the Game.
“We gave it to Aaron Gordon. I still told the players that when we limit a team to 93 points in an NBA Finals, 40% on shots, 33% on free throws and only two free throws attempted, we could give it to the whole team. I thought a lot of players defended well tonight. Except for the 4th quarter. So Aaron picked it up. He did an incredible job accepting the challenge of defending a guy like Jimmy Butler. But as a band, and collectively, I thought the guys did an amazing job too. »
He also highlighted the work of Michael Porter Jr, author of two counterattacks, but also effective on Butler on certain sequences.
“I think we’ve gone beyond congratulating Michael when he plays a good defensive game. It is necessary, as for all the other members of our team. This is the NBA Finals. At half time we showed action where they made a pick-and-roll for Jimmy Butler, Michael tried to go under, he stayed on the action and ended up countering Jimmy from behind. This is the kind of action that Michael and everyone else has to do for us to win this series. We cannot say to ourselves: look at Michael Porter Jr, he is doing a good job. It’s his job, and it’s the job of Jamal, Pope, Nikola, Aaron and everyone else who plays for us. »
“We lead 1-0. It’s good, but we have to finish the matches.”
Malone just talked about it, he didn’t like the 4th quarter. Facing the zone, the attack froze, and in defense, there was relaxation. As he explained the day before the match, the best attack is the defense. To prevent the Heat from placing their zone, you have to play fast, and that goes through “stops”.
“I think for three quarters, our defense was up to what it should be. In the fourth quarter, they shoot at 60% success, we collect 30 points, and as I told our players, we lead 1-0. It’s good, but we have to finish the matches.” warns Malone. “We lead by 21 points at the start of the fourth quarter, and they start 8-0, with a loose ball and a layup. We missed a few open shots against the zone, we let a few 3-point shots pass. In the final, you can’t choose when you want to play. We have to get closer to 48 minutes of play.”
