Since the start of these playoffs, the pride that emanates from the Miami locker room comes from the fact that Heat players always want to play harder than their opponents, and more rigorous. Jimmy Butler’s Heat rarely give their opponents a match: you have to beat them! Last night, Erik Spoelstra’s players gave Denver the game by passing through their first half.
The Nuggets dictated their rule from the first possessions of the game, finding Aaron Gordon under the circle three times in a row to punish Miami’s lack of size.
“Early in the game they were switching a lot and Aaron took advantage of that by positioning himself just in front of the circle, scoring into the key and finishing in the circle,” explained Mike Malone after the meeting.
Opportunistic, Aaron Gordon scored 12 of his 16 points in this first quarter. Miami was more physical with him and “switched” a lot less in the second half.
Zero free throws for Jimmy Butler, two for Miami
The Nuggets winger was also instrumental in his defense of Jimmy Butler. The Heat star finished with 13 points, including only 6 after the first quarter. He did not shoot any free throws despite taking an average of more than nine per game!
“We know Jimmy Butler is one of the best players in the league to get free throws” recalled Mike Malone. “To limit this team to only two free throws in the game, it’s a very good job defending without making a mistake. »
With its two free throws, Miami set a new NBA record: that of the fewest free throws attempted in a playoff game in NBA history. This sad record is the responsibility of Jimmy Butler.
Since arriving in Miami, the winger has been setting the tone for this team. He attacks the circle relentlessly, he will cause fouls to put the opposing team in the bonus, and by doing so, he also allows the Heat to dictate the tempo of the meeting. That night, however, he was unrecognizable. However, he started the game well, scoring 7 points in the first quarter at 3/7 on shots. He will also be at 3/7 in the last three quarters.
While the Nuggets did not hesitate to “switch” the screens between Aaron Gordon, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Bruce Brown, Jimmy Butler did not chase the “matchup” he wanted to attack him relentlessly as he did it against Boston. He preferred to attack the racket without really looking at the circle, preferring to bring the ball out.
Denver lets Bam Adebayo shine
With a transparent Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo set his record for shots attempted in the playoffs (25), to the delight of Denver.
“Sacrificing contested mid-range shots is better than letting them take a lot of open 3-point shots,” summarizes Mike Malone. Clearly, Bam Adebayo had space because Denver gave it to him.
“Too often, we haven’t imposed what we wanted to put in place,” lamented Erik Spoelstra. “We weren’t precise enough in our spacing, in our tempo and in our intentions, and that slowed us down on offense. »
“We’re an aggressive team, a team that’s all about aggression, and if we don’t get those kinds of opportunities at the circle or on the free-throw line, we have to find another way to do it otherwise, » he added.
The Heat regained a semblance of aggression late in the game, thanks to their passage in zone. Erik Spoelstra didn’t want to credit that defense for his team’s wake-up call, though. “I never point the finger at a tactical change. Our tactic is not going to save us. It was through toughness, through our collective effort that we started to raise our heads, but we have to do it throughout the match. This is how we are at our best. That’s what our group loves to do, and that’s what we showed in the second half. »
Jimmy Butler sets date for Game 2
Miami wouldn’t be in the Finals without the contributions of Bam Adebayo, Gave Vincent and even Haywood Highsmith tonight, but it all starts with the direction given by Jimmy Butler.
“We took too many shots from mid-range, myself included. I probably set a bad example in this area, rather than putting pressure on the circle, to go for lay-ups and free throws, “ acknowledged Jimmy Butler in his post-game mea culpa.
The adjustment before Game 2 is therefore simple: Miami needs its star to play like the best player in this series. Like he did against Milwaukee, against New York, and at the TD Garden in Boston in Games 1, 2, and 7. And Jimmy Butler is aware of this.
“I have to be more aggressive. Zero free throws, it’s only my fault, no one else. So I’m going to watch the video, correct all that for the next game, because I’m the only one who can change this approach. We’re going to adjust, we’re going to do some things differently and we’re going to take Game 2 by the horns. »
Interview in Denver.
