Scouting Report: Pistons-Heat Game 6
Dwyane Wade's health could dedtermine who wins Game 6.
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 5
Miami: The Heat did an excellent job of pushing Rasheed Wallace out of the post with the bigger bodies. As a result, Sheed only attempted three shots. Miami's defense again was tremendous. It surrendered very few easy baskets and allowed Detroit only 38 percent field-goal shooting. But Miami's role players, specifically Damon Jones, Udonis Haslem, and Rasual Butler, played great and kept the Heat in front throughout. Dwyane Wade only scored 15 points before finally retreating to the locker room after a strong crossover dribble at the 5:32 mark of the third quarter strained a right rib muscle. Wade took a charge immediately thereafter from Wallace but said he was unable to get out of the way. From that point on, Wade said he couldn't move laterally and had to leave the game. Miami did a great job of keeping Detroit at bay, while 20,000 had at least one eye on the tunnel leading to the Heat locker room. Haslem had the double-double numbers that resembled his regular season statistics -- 14 points and 13 rebounds. Butler had seven of his 12 points in the fourth quarter as Wade's replacement. And Jones created more shots on his own than usual. Miami's 52.2 field-goal percentage was more to its liking as well with Shaquille O'Neal's continued single coverage letting him contribute 7 of 10 shooting in the first half for 15 of his 20 points.
Miami: The Heat did an excellent job of pushing Rasheed Wallace out of the post with the bigger bodies. As a result, Sheed only attempted three shots. Miami's defense again was tremendous. It surrendered very few easy baskets and allowed Detroit only 38 percent field-goal shooting. But Miami's role players, specifically Damon Jones, Udonis Haslem, and Rasual Butler, played great and kept the Heat in front throughout. Dwyane Wade only scored 15 points before finally retreating to the locker room after a strong crossover dribble at the 5:32 mark of the third quarter strained a right rib muscle. Wade took a charge immediately thereafter from Wallace but said he was unable to get out of the way. From that point on, Wade said he couldn't move laterally and had to leave the game. Miami did a great job of keeping Detroit at bay, while 20,000 had at least one eye on the tunnel leading to the Heat locker room. Haslem had the double-double numbers that resembled his regular season statistics -- 14 points and 13 rebounds. Butler had seven of his 12 points in the fourth quarter as Wade's replacement. And Jones created more shots on his own than usual. Miami's 52.2 field-goal percentage was more to its liking as well with Shaquille O'Neal's continued single coverage letting him contribute 7 of 10 shooting in the first half for 15 of his 20 points.
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