Miami Heat determined to stick with starters in Game-5
The Miami Heat have ruled out any changes to their starting line-up. Following their stunning defeat against the Philadelphia 76ers in the game-4 of the best-of-seven
first round playoff series, several analysts had lashed out at the starting line-up of the Heat, which has found itself trailing in the first half of all the games this series.
Coach Erik Spoelstra however came out in support of the starters before game-5 "I don't see a need to [change] right now, we can change what we need to within ourselves
and do it with a better motor and better athleticism and better awareness to start the game."
The current starters for Miami consist of their Big Three trio of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh accompanied by Mike Bibby playing as a point guard and
Zydrunas Ilgauskas at centre. The starters did a reasonable job throughout the regular season and form one of the most feared starting combinations in the league at present.
Critics however point that Miami starters had been consistently bogged down by the Sixers in the first quarter and some energy, in the form of a younger player, needs
to be infused. Dwyane Wade, the Heat shooting-guard, admitted that the line-up was perhaps not as energetic as the Heat required in the early parts of the game, "That line-up is not our most energetic line-up, Obviously, when Joel Anthony comes into the game
and, at times, with Mario Chalmers coming into the game, a lot of times that's our best defensive, lively and energetic line-up."
The trio of James, Wade and Bosh are obviously untouchable, so the axe might fall on Ilgauskas and Mike Bibby, but Erik Spoelstra has leapt to the defence of both.
He pointed out that both the players had a good game-2 and a reasonable overall series.
The Heat believe that the outside shooting of Mike Bibby, who has averaged 45.5 from beyond the arc in the regular season, and Ilgauskas’ ability to drain his mid-range
shots spreads the floor for them. It also allows more room to manoeuvre for the likes of Wade and LeBron James, who have the freedom to drive to the lane or pick out teammates when in a tough situation.
Both Bibby and Ilgauskas did not have a good time in the last game, but Miami are confident that it was a minor blip and both players will come back strong in the
next game.
Spoelstra was adamant that the Heat will not overreact based on a few games. Miami have a game plan in place and so far they have won 3 out of 4. They are confident
they can close out the series with a win at the American Airlines Arena.
The Heat believe in their ability and say that they can perform better in next game, including the first quarter, without making drastic changes. Miami will advance
to the Eastern Conference semi-finals if they win on home court Wednesday night.
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