Great game...
I sincerely believe that the winner of Game 4 will win the series.
My reasoning is that the Heat will put in their greatest effort of any game they have played in this series so far to win that game.
The danger for us is that whenever a team wins, they are immediately vulnerable because of a psychological relaxation. We saw it in Game 2, when we should have won.
SO when you match their highest intensity with our ability to relax, you have a situation which screams 'series statement game'.
Yes...every game is potentially a statement game, but I will bet anyone that the Heat will put their greatest effort in game 4.
My other observation is on Lebron James. The latter part of the third quarter and early fourth, Lebron looked unstoppable. It was also sad, that he looks very much more relaxed when Miami are behind, and the pressure is off him. In pressure cooker games he is only too willing to give up the ball. WIth a large deficit, he was in Cleveland mode taking control.
I dont particularly like Lebron James, but his skillset is incredible and his performance tonight was a scary glimpse of how good he could be (strange to say that about the MVP).
Except...if Boston wins on Sunday, I believe it trigger a very subtle meltdown for Lebron.
Premature I hear many of you shout. Well..the closer the game and of course the series, the more that detached look in his eye returns.
I really do not think Lebron can take another savaging from the media or fans.
Therefore in a close game the strategy should always be to force the Heat to keep the ball in Lebrons hands. In a close game the one thing Lebron doesnt want to be doing, is being responsible for winning or losing.
In a game where we are leading by far, you certainly want it out of his hands.
Oh...and the Celtics have to draft Royce White. He will be a star in the NBA. Heed me Danny..