Heat @Nets Time : Today, 3:00pm Arena: Contential Airlines TV: ABC Well Game 4 is literally minutes away. And the Nets are looking to bounce back from a desvastating game 3 double overtime loss, as well as avoid getting swept by the Heat. It will be crucial for the Nets to open this game up with a alot of energy, if they have any hopes of extending the series. They need to get the crowd involved early and then try to feed off that for the rest of the game similar to game 3. But if their is no energy or pressence of fight left in the team or Arena this could every well become a field day runaway by the Heat on their way to a series sweep. Vince Carter & Jason Kidd also have to stop settling, be aggressive get into the seems and lane against this Heat defense and create opportunites for other people along with themselves. New Jersey definately once again has to fight to get into the opencourt and get some easy baskets. Another strong performance from Richard Jefferson will be required as he will see most of the minutes even if Brain Scalabrine starts. RJ did an excellent job of controlling Dwayne Wade and getting the crowd involved with some electric moves to the basket. New Jersey will need a repeat performance. Also the Nets will need continued success from Nenad Krstic, who has played very well off screen & roll type of plays all series. The Nets will look to continue to exploit the Heat's frontline in screen & rolls particually Shaquille Oneal, so Krstic has to continue to cash in on the opportunites when they present themselves. Jason Collins also has to contribute a little something on offense. While the Nets wont be looking for him to provide them with any major scoring boost or anything, they still need him to make the open 12 footers just to keep the Heat defense honest. So far in this series the Heat defense has left Collins open every single time, and he hasnt made them pay. Collins can make that short mid range shot, he has done it in the past. He just has to have confidence in while taking it. The Nets will also need someone else to step up & give them an un-expected boost, an x-factor so to speak. You know Vince is going to do a boat load of the scoring with Jefferson, Kidd, & Krstic filling into to help out. But the Nets need someone unexpected to step up similiar to what Miami got from Zo in game 2 or Keyon Dooling in game 3, the best candiates from New Jersey to give them an unexpected boost would be one of the veterans either Cliff Robinson or Traivs Best. If one of those guys can step up & give them another scorer to get double digits then it would go along way in defeating the Heat today. And extending the series. Also New Jersey has to take advantage of their opportunites at the line. Neither team has shot free throws well this series. But the Heat dont need to shot well at the line to beat the Nets. But the Nets will have to shoot extremely well inorder to beat the Heat. The point difference at the line can go along way into making up the edge that the Heat will have when it comes to points in the paint. Defesively, the Nets played much better in game 3 then they have at any other time against the Heat all season. But they still have areas to work on....Eddie Jones is getting to many good looks at the basket right now, Vince Carter if he is going to help down on Shaq, has to be quicker in his rotations back to the shooter. The Nets have to control Miami's x-factors, Maimi every game so far is getting something un-expected from one of their roll players, New Jersey has to start making adjustments on the fly. If they see a guy is going off they have to make adjustments to take some of his looks away as soon as possible. They need to continue to try & keep Wade out of the lane easiser said then done. But Richard Jefferson was up to the task in game 3 hopefully, he will be today as well. For Shaq, this is a game where you use every bigbody foul you have on the roster. And force him to earn his points at the line. Between Cliff Robinson, Jason Collins, Nenad Krstic, & Jabari Smith, the Nets have 24 big body fouls to use. They are going to have to use just about the max, to try & take away the easy dunks from Shaq under the basket. The Nets must convert every Heat miss into a transition opprtunity. Keep all game talk in this thread
Nice writeup, Henacy. Anyway, maybe I'm really off base on this one, but I felt like Vince Carter has lost this series for the Nets. His shot selection has been absolutely horrible. Tonight he ended up with 23/10 but shot a God-awful 6-22 from the field, most of which were illadvised shots. The night before that he shot 15-37 (did I just say he took 37 shots? ). The night before that he shot 6-16, and in the first game, he shot 8-21. I just think that if they waited for better shots instead of letting Carter take some bad shot, they'd be a lot better off.
The Heat swept the Nets 4-0 which is pathetic. Even though I expected the Heat to win the series anyways, I thought the Nets would win 2 games in the series. Oh well, I was too optimistic. I can't wait for the dynamic trio of Vince, Kidd, and Jefferson to play next season. I hope the Nets get a quality center during the off-season. Jason Collins is such a bust.
Well, the Heat swept, but this should not overshadow what has been a phenomenal and most interesting season.
Iam definately dissappointed in how the playoffs turned out. But I think the positives in this series can come in the form of the expereince Nenad Krstic gained. I think being matched up against that Heat frontline and being extremely productive will do wonders for his growth and confidence going into next year. We also got to see Kidd, Carter and Jefferson on the floor together. And at times they gave us alot to look forward to next season. My only regret for this series would be not having the ball in Jefferson's hands a little bit more in games 3 & 4, you could tell they really dont have an answer for him. And he definately was looking to get to the hoop not only to be a scorer but also a playmaker. Anyway, I'll sit back and see what additions and changes Rod Thorn makes during the offseason. But right now Iam extremely confident about the product that Jersey will put on the court next year.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting xpehbamxyu:</div><div class="quote_post">Well, the Heat swept, but this should not overshadow what has been a phenomenal and most interesting season.</div> Agreed. Let's not forget the amazing regular season that the Nets had this year to get to the playoffs. Certainly will be one to be remembered. I was disappointed, but as I've said before, I can't wait for next year!
too bad for the nets. i was really hoping that the Carter,Kidd,Jefferson trio would be enough to stop the heat. but all is not lost. it is still an amazing feat to make the playoffs while in the rebuilding year! somewhat like the Lakers, the nets have a very promising next season ahead of them.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting yanix:</div><div class="quote_post">too bad for the nets. i was really hoping that the Carter,Kidd,Jefferson trio would be enough to stop the heat. but all is not lost. it is still an amazing feat to make the playoffs while in the rebuilding year! </div> yeah,i still appreciate all their efforts and lest's also not forget that they almost didn't make it...oh well,better luck next season...
