2010-11 NBA Basketball Season

Advanced Scouting: San Antonio Spurs at Miami Heat

Just 10 days ago, the Spurs turned a highly anticipated matchup with the Heat into a 125-95three point shooting exhibition, led by Matt Bonner. Before the game, some considered this a potential finals preview. At the time the Spurs and Heat were 1st and 2nd in SRS rankings, respectively. The Heat proceeded to lose their next two games, completing a 5 game skid. After reeling off two impressive wins in the last 5 days, the Heat appear back on track. The two teams once again rank 1 and 2 in the SRS rankings.


Despite losing by 30, the Heat were able to get near the rim. Lebron made 7 of 10 from inside 10 feet and Wade scored 6 of 8 from this range. (Wade did only attempt 2 free throws and create one assist to go with 5 turnovers.) However, the Spurs did a good job enticing the Heat to take a lot of long two’s. The Heat attempting 29 shots from 16-23 feet, making 13. By comparison, the Spurs attempted 9 long two’s (making 4). San Antonio also attempted more threes (28-20). In addition, the Spurs assisted 16 of their 17 three point scores. Although we can’t expect the Spurs to make threes at that rate and pace, it should be promising that they were able to create so many open looks.


Tony Parker’s made a surprise appearance in the first meeting, playing much before his anticipated return date. He was a significant factor for the Spurs getting to the rim and sucking in the Heat’s defense. Parker created 4 layups off the dribble and made all 7 of his free throws. Tim Duncan was also significant offensively, scoring 5 field goals from close range (3 unassisted) to go with 14 rebounds. Manu Ginobili also distributed an impressive 5 assists on layups or dunks. Of course, Bonner’s 6 of 7 three point shooting were pretty significant and Novak, Hill, Jefferson, Ginobili and Neal were also efficient from that range. The Spurs three point preference also made it easier to take care of the ball. They committed only 8 turnovers.

The Spurs also enjoyed success defending the pick and roll in this game. Miami scored just 12 points on 22 ball handler possessions and 5 points on 7 plays to the roll man. The Heat ran a ton of screens, but scored only 12 points on 16 such plays. The Spurs defense managed to hold the Heat to merely 9 fast break points in 11 opportunities. The Spurs fast break contributed 16 points on 12 transition plays. The Spurs didn’t run the pick and roll with their typical regularity, but when they did, it was effective. 13 ballhandler possessions created 18 points while 9 passes to the roll man led to 10 more points. The area that the Spurs held the biggest edge, however, was obviously spot ups. The Spurs made an incredible 13 of 19 three point spot ups leading to 48 points on 27 spot up chances.


Miami’s Point Guard Situaion

One interesting thing to consider for this game is the Heat’s point guard situation. I suspected that the Heat shouldn’t want a point who dominates the ball. After all, Wade has never played with as dynamic a passer as James and James can probably say the same about Wade. Additionally, both players like to create off the dribble. Doing a quick check of Miami’s point differential with respective point guards this season, we find that the numbers seem to back my initial suspicion… probably…




House +12.1 per 48 in 525 minutes
Chalmers +8.4 in 1808 minutes
Wade +8.2 in 182 minutes
Arroyo +7.0 in 981 minutes
Bibby +3.1 in 119 minutes

For lineups with multiple players above, the order of PG preference was Chalmers, Bibby, Arroyo, House and Wade.
Surprisingly, the team has done slightly better with Chalmers at point than Wade. However, Wade has only played 182 minutes at point guard.
House might be the Heat’s most dangerous option at point guard, since he is the most deadly 3 point weapon of the group. He is better as a three point specialist than a ball handler.
The Heat lost their first 4 games after acquiring Bibby, but he seems to be adjusting to the team in recent games.

 
Good game for the heat almost up by 30 in the closing minutes.

nba_u_heatts_576.jpg
 
Excellent win by the heat! Defense was excellent. They got their revenge against the spurs but they still got plenty of work to do. What a difference compared to around this time last week lol
 
Oh wait I had a typo in my post, should of read like this .... El Heat ... ( se oye mejor Los Heat ) que no compa lol
 
So....they won a close game and now beat San Antonio like an ugly red-headed step child. The experiment of bring Bosh down low to post up and his aggressive play has worked. 30 points and 12 .... Hopefully, this will start a good little winning streak to gain some confidence.
 
Regular season really means nothing....but when the HEAT lose.... the haters parachute from EVERYWHERE. The HEAT "finished" in a tight game against the hottest team out of the All-Star break and defending champs and destroyed the best team in the NBA.... Outrebounding, out-playing in the low post and out hustling .....mostly done by the supposedly "the softest guy in the NBA". Out playing guys like Gasol and Dunkin. Things everybody was saying they could not or would not do against the elite teams.

....yep, quick to point out all the negative....but not give "the devil his due" when they merit it.

LOL!
 
Regular season really means nothing....but when the HEAT lose.... the haters parachute from EVERYWHERE. The HEAT "finished" in a tight game against the hottest team out of the All-Star break and defending champs and destroyed the best team in the NBA.... Outrebounding, out-playing in the low post and out hustling .....mostly done by the supposedly "the softest guy in the NBA". Out playing guys like Gasol and Dunkin. Things everybody was saying they could not or would not do against the elite teams.

....yep, quick to point out all the negative....but not give "the devil his due" when they merit it.

LOL!

Wut?! :D
 
Regular season really means nothing....but when the HEAT lose.... the haters parachute from EVERYWHERE. The HEAT "finished" in a tight game against the hottest team out of the All-Star break and defending champs and destroyed the best team in the NBA.... Outrebounding, out-playing in the low post and out hustling .....mostly done by the supposedly "the softest guy in the NBA". Out playing guys like Gasol and Dunkin. Things everybody was saying they could not or would not do against the elite teams.

....yep, quick to point out all the negative....but not give "the devil his due" when they merit it.

LOL!

This is just so sad...:(


Sandra
 
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Yet another bad loss for the Knicks. I said it at the time, they gave up too much. If they get Chris Paul or Deron Williams because they already have Amare and 'Melo, the trade will be worth it. But the guys they gave up are definitely missed.


Sandra
 
Yet another bad loss for the Knicks. I said it at the time, they gave up too much. If they get Chris Paul or Deron Williams because they already have Amare and 'Melo, the trade will be worth it. But the guys they gave up are definitely missed.


Sandra

Knicks need more time. For sure they need more help but they should improve before the season ends. This trade should've been done earlier.
 
Knicks need more time. For sure they need more help but they should improve before the season ends. This trade should've been done earlier.

Fair point, the Heat had to go through their own learing process in the Fall as well. But the Knicks aren't the Heat, and I'm not so sure D'Antoni is the right coach either.


Sandra
 
Fair point, the Heat had to go through their own learing process in the Fall as well. But the Knicks aren't the Heat, and I'm not so sure D'Antoni is the right coach either.


Sandra

Problem with d'antoni is that he focuses too much on offense and not enough on defense. I like him and he did have much success in Phoenix but you guys are looking for championships which is why this trade was made. That team in Phoenix was fun to watch.
 
Regular season really means nothing....but when the HEAT lose.... the haters parachute from EVERYWHERE. The HEAT "finished" in a tight game against the hottest team out of the All-Star break and defending champs and destroyed the best team in the NBA.... Outrebounding, out-playing in the low post and out hustling .....mostly done by the supposedly "the softest guy in the NBA". Out playing guys like Gasol and Dunkin. Things everybody was saying they could not or would not do against the elite teams.

....yep, quick to point out all the negative....but not give "the devil his due" when they merit it.

LOL!

Congratulations to the Heat for being 3-6 in their last nine games.
 

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