We need faster transition offense, the key..

[snowball]

Here's what I think would be the key to
winning this series. What Doc needs to do.

- We all know that Bosh, Wade and LeBron are going
to get to the FT line. They are double our FT attempts
and all due to style of play. We are not going to take
that style of play away from them. Every time they shoot
FT's, they are allowed to casually retreat back to defense
and set schemes. Therefore, what is the advantage of hotly
contesting the paint ? There is none. Instead, we should
hotly contend the perimeter, and let them get their layups.
This will allow our wings, Paul/Ray to get out faster.
Paul and Ray are spending too much draining effort in
defending the interior. If we have Garnett kick it out
fast, he can immediately go to Rondo who can get the ball
to a wide-open shooter.
I realize this is D'Antoni style ball, and not our forte,
but think about this: If we can turn this series into
a jump-shooting match, we will win. We have better pure
shooters than the Heat do. The fast break is key to beating
Miami. Their FT's are killing us, in two ways, number one
they get most of them, but number two and most importantly,
the FT's allow them to casually retreat and defend. I say
let them have their layups, keep Ray/Paul with fresh legs
down the wing, and play D'Antoni ball !

[snowball]

I suppose I'm the only one who sees this issue
as glaring. The Heat will get theirs. They are
going to get to the line no matter what.
We need an adjustment like I described.
I talked about this on Mutt and Merloni today.
Ron from Cranston

[Who]

I don't think the C's can win in a run'n'gun environment.

They need to be opportunistic in transition rather than out and out run and gun ball.

And it's important that they do a much better job of that in the remainder of the series than they have over the first two games.

[Roy H.]

I don't think the C's can win in a run'n'gun environment.

They need to be opportunistic in transition rather than out and out run and gun ball.

And it's important that they do a much better job of that in the remainder of the series than they have over the first two games.

I agree.  They can't abandon defense to increase offensive pace, like D'Antoni teams do.  Rather, they need to use their defense to set up transition offense, and push the ball.

[Celticsfan336]

I don't think the C's can win in a run'n'gun environment.

They need to be opportunistic in transition rather than out and out run and gun ball.

And it's important that they do a much better job of that in the remainder of the series than they have over the first two games.

I agree.  They can't abandon defense to increase offensive pace, like D'Antoni teams do.  Rather, they need to use their defense to set up transition offense, and push the ball.

Exactly, but setting up in a halfcourt offense that hasn't been working, against a quick Heat defense, will only result in Heat transitiion points.

[GreenEnvy]

All the C's really need to do is calm down.

Look for the open man, and take the shots that are there. I see a lot of hesitant shooters and people standing around. Then the shot clock becomes another defender for the Heat forcing them to chuck something up.

Also, just take care of the ball. This is not a team to play fancy against. Set picks, run around screens, set double picks, etc. Find the open man without making slow crosscourt passes that have a high probability of getting stolen. The Heat are obviously a dangerous fast-break team, usually resulting in a dunk, two free throws, or in the past two games, And-1's.

Our poor offense is creating their better offense. They are a good defensive team, but they are doubling everywhere and we aren't getting out of it. Turnovers and misses are bailing them out of having to score in the half-court. Make them inbound the [dang] ball and they will struggle to score.

It's time for the coaching staff to step up and diffuse the Heat's defensive approach. Do that, and this series is about to do a 180.