Slowing down pace of play a priority for Heat
MIAMI — Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra has always been about making the opposition adjust.
Through three games against the Philadelphia 76ers, the opposite has occurred. The Heat have been lured into the Sixers’ up-tempo style, leading to them trailing 2-1 in their best-of-7 series in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.
“It’s clear the first game and the third game were played on their terms,” Spoelstra said. “We do not want this to be a crawl. Not that’s how we play either. But we certainly don’t want these crawling into 130s. That’s definitely in their wheelhouse. And we paid the price for that.”
The Heat ranked fourth in scoring defense during the regular season, allowing 102.9 points a game. They have given up an average of 120.3 against the Sixers. It is the secondhighest total of any team in the postseason, trailing only the Washington Wizards.
“We don’t want to be in shootouts with this team, so we got to find ways to be more physical and control their shooters and their scoring,” Heat forward Justise Winslow said.
The simplest solution is making more baskets to allow the defense more time to set up against the quicker and younger Sixers.
“I think make shots,” forward James Johnson said. “We’ve got to alleviate some of that pressure that’s on our offense. So many are trying to make inspiring plays on defense, sometimes we’ve just to take some pressure off and pack the paint.”
Ailing but OK
Guard Tyler Johnson began clutching his left hand early in Thursday’s game after jamming his left thumb while colliding with Sixers center Joel Embiid on the second possession.
Johnson was evaluated after the game but no serious damage was found after X-rays. He wore a protective wrap during Friday’s practice.
“I was trying to catch myself, stumbled, put my hand down,” Johnson said. “I lost my balance when I ran into him. I tried to brace myself on the floor and jammed my thumb. … Initially it was a little bit sore. We got a little tape job on it. That’s more to make it a little bit more comfortable. It’s a little sore, nothing that’s not manageable.”
3-point defense
The one constant in the Sixers’ two victories has been 3-point shooting. They made 18 from behind the arc in each game.
For the series, the Sixers are shooting 43 percent (43 of 98).
“I think we just need to be on the same page,” guard Goran Dragic said. We watched the film right now and there were silly mistakes. Two guys go on one guy and they get open shooters. We need to contest their shots, especially in transition. We didn’t communicate well.”
Light practices
Spoelstra said the team will likely hold light workouts the rest of thw way because of the physicality of the series. Thursday’s practice mostly consisted of a walkthrough and film session.
“There’s not going to be a lot of hitting or live practices,” Spoelstra said. “Our guys felt the game last night, as well they should. They’ll rest up and get ready for [Saturday].”
The move was made because the series is expected
to hit another level, especially with Tuesday being a potential elimination game.
“It’s already a physical series but there’s a lot more areas they kind of beat us [Thursday], particularly catch and shoots,” Tyler Johnson said. “That’s one of the things I personally am trying to get better at. That initial push off or shove to get open on catch and shoots. There’s going to be another level going into Game 4.”
“We don’t want to be in shootouts with this team, so we got to find ways to be more physical.
Justise Winslow, Heat forward