The Lakers put forth a good effort, but they got beat by the defending champion Heat tonight 90-99. With a much smaller lineup, the Heat played their usual high pressure defense to combat the Lakers size. In the same way we saw Kobe ball hawking opposing point guards to disrupt their offense, Miami jumped out on every Nash screen roll. It was effective most of the night.
The Lakers defense wasn't too shabby either. It was their 16 turnovers in the first half that did them in. Kobe was also not shooting well throughout the first two quarters. So at the break they led by only 1 despite holding Miami to 2/28 outside the paint.
Miami opened up 9 point lead in the 4th, but Kobe started hitting his shots and the Lakers tied the game at 90 apiece. From there the Lakers couldn't counter Miami's pressure defense and got some poor possessions. Wade, Allen, and LeBron hit jumpers to seal it.
Notables:
The Good:
- Dwight was dominant when the Lakers were able to pass it to him
- Pau looked decently aggressive on offense
- Good effort overall
The Bad:
- Too many turnovers, and a lot were unforced
- No halftime adjustment to the Heat D
- It's another loss
First, I want to see the Lakers' coaches scheme properly to beat pressure defense. Secondly, in the 3rd when LeBron started dominating (with no Howard on the court) why didn't somebody foul him? Pau especially because he was the Lakers' rim defender. When a guy is bulldozing to the rim at will somebody has got to lay him on his back. I'm not saying make a dirty play, but take a good solid foul. Maybe make him think twice before driving the lane. I don't know, that's just how I was taught to play the game.
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