The Resurgence of Wade and Bosh: Miami's Big 3 Take Over to Even the Series
This game had a different feel then the first three games. From the opening tip, both teams were competing with an intensity unlike the previous games. The Spurs opened the game on a 15-5 run and it looked like we were in for a repeat of Game 3. Spoelstra called a time out to regroup and LeBron stepped back onto the court with a different look in his eyes. The Heat closed the quarter on a 24-11 run. LeBron James and Dwyane Wade scored 21 of Miami’s 29 first quarter points shooting 82% for the quarter.
The Heat took a 10-point lead in the second quarter but the Spurs countered with an 11-2 run to tie the game at halftime. Tony Parker took over during the run and ended the half with 15 points, making acrobatic shots and floaters despite the hurt hamstring. LeBron continued his aggressive play and ended the quarter with 15 points while Wade chipped in 14. Both teams shot over 50% for the half as the teams went into halftime with the score even at 49.
The second half belonged to Miami. James continued his dominant style, attacking the paint every time he had the ball instead of settling for jumpers like we have seen in the first three games. The Heat forced turnovers left and right as the Spurs committed 18 turnovers to just nine for Miami. Despite the chatter of a bum knee, Wade looked extremely athletic as he was running fast breaks by himself and dunking in transition. Wade has been extremely quiet during the second half in these finals but proved why he was a top three player in the league just a couple seasons ago by completely taking over the game at one point in the fourth quarter. Parker began to tire as the second half wore on while James and Wade picked up the intensity to blow the game open and take a 15-point lead with just a few minutes remaining in the game.
Notes:
Danny Green and Gary Neal continued their hot shooting from the three-point line. They finished the game a combined 6-9 from distance.
Danny Green is now 19-28 (an astounding 68%) from three in the NBA Finals. He is now only three behind Ray Allen (22) for the record for most three-pointers in an NBA Finals series.
Tony Parker was almost non-existent in the second half as he didn’t score a basket and rested for much of the half.
Dwyane Wade has been struggling in the second half of games in the Finals but that was not the case in Game 4. Wade scored 18 second half points, including 10 fourth quarter points and an 8-0 run by himself during a three minute stretch in the fourth.
Wade’s 33 points were the most for him in this year’s playoffs. He picked a good time to have his best game.
Miami’s Big Three combined for 85 points and 30 rebounds while San Antonio’s Big Three combined for 40 points and 11 rebounds.
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