Scouting Report: Pistons-Heat Game 4
With all of the distractions coming out of Detroit, Game 4 will be all about mental toughness for the Pistons.
Originally Published: May 21, 2005
By
Brian James | ESPN Insider
ESPN Insider Brian James will provide scouting reports throughout the NBA playoffs.
Keys in Game 3:
Miami: Miami shot 52-percent from the field, 50-percent from the arc and committed only eight turnovers. Against one of the best defenses in the NBA, this is quite a feat. Plus, the Heat did it in front of a very vocal and rambunctious Palace crowd.Shaquille O'Neal and Dwyane Wade combined to make 14 of 16 field-goal attempts in the second quarter, giving Miami the confidence needed to overcome a five-point fourth-quarter deficit. In fact, as good as Wade was in Game 3, the 18-6 run by the Heat while Wade sat with five fouls in the fourth proved to be the difference. Eddie Jones' 11 points in the fourth helped put Miami over the top. Jones finished with 19 for the game. Jones and Wade combined for 12-of-14 from the free-throw line in the fourth period as the entire team shot 22-for-29. Dwyane finished with 36 points, shooting 15-for-28. He had 21 points by halftime, missing only five times. His step-back jump shot over Tayshaun Prince as the shot clock expired was the back breaker, giving the Heat a 102-93 lead with less than three minutes to play. Shaq had three days off between Games 2 and 3, which improved his mobility, as he's still recovering from a thigh bruise. Shaq had 24 points against Detroit's single coverage in the post and he even made 8 of 12 from the line. Defensively, Miami was locked in, forcing Detroit to shoot 37 percent in the second half. Don't underestimate Miami's defense. It was tremendous in this game.
Miami: Miami shot 52-percent from the field, 50-percent from the arc and committed only eight turnovers. Against one of the best defenses in the NBA, this is quite a feat. Plus, the Heat did it in front of a very vocal and rambunctious Palace crowd.Shaquille O'Neal and Dwyane Wade combined to make 14 of 16 field-goal attempts in the second quarter, giving Miami the confidence needed to overcome a five-point fourth-quarter deficit. In fact, as good as Wade was in Game 3, the 18-6 run by the Heat while Wade sat with five fouls in the fourth proved to be the difference. Eddie Jones' 11 points in the fourth helped put Miami over the top. Jones finished with 19 for the game. Jones and Wade combined for 12-of-14 from the free-throw line in the fourth period as the entire team shot 22-for-29. Dwyane finished with 36 points, shooting 15-for-28. He had 21 points by halftime, missing only five times. His step-back jump shot over Tayshaun Prince as the shot clock expired was the back breaker, giving the Heat a 102-93 lead with less than three minutes to play. Shaq had three days off between Games 2 and 3, which improved his mobility, as he's still recovering from a thigh bruise. Shaq had 24 points against Detroit's single coverage in the post and he even made 8 of 12 from the line. Defensively, Miami was locked in, forcing Detroit to shoot 37 percent in the second half. Don't underestimate Miami's defense. It was tremendous in this game.
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