Are the Heat done? Spoelstra, Butler remain defiant

Erik Spoelstra, Jimmy Butler, and the Heat remain defiant, believing Miami still has a shot to get back in the best-of-seven NBA Finals series despite the Lakers looking dominant on their way to a 2-0 series advantage.

“We don’t give a s— what everybody else thinks,” Spoelstra, who’s in his fifth NBA finals appearance, said after Miami’s Game 2 loss to the Lakers on Saturday, October 3 (Manila time).

“What will it take? Whatever is necessary. It’s as simple as that. If you want something badly enough, you’ll figure it out,” he added.

It’s clear the Heat, led by their unrelenting head coach and enigmatic leader, still see a path to making this series competitive, if not even. 

The reported return of Bam Adebayo in Game 3 – Miami has sorely missed his defense against Anthony Davis – should give the Heat a positive to work with, along with their improved performance compared to Game 1. 

But have the Lakers established that they’re too good for Miami?

At the least, LA might be too big. 

Despite missing Adebayo and Goran Dragic – their leading scorer in the playoffs – Miami played a solid offensive game by shooting nearly 51% from the field and converting on 11-of-24 from deep, plus 31-of-34 from the foul line. 

Butler was fantastic with 25 points, 13 assists, and 8 rebounds, while Kelly Olynyk came off the bench for 24 points and 9 boards. 

The issues were apparent on the defensive side of the floor.

Led by superb performances from Davis and LeBron James, the Lakers shot 50.5% from the field and converted 16 three-pointers. Miami took only 71 shot attempts in total while the Lakers attempted 97. 

Miami shot 34 free throws to LA’s 17, so that lessens the impact in shot distribution, but 16 of LA’s 44 rebounds were on the offensive glass. Even during stretches where Miami played solid defense, LA’s height advantage awarded them extra possessions – especially against the Heat’s zone. 

And once the Lakers got those extra chances, they capitalized. LeBron had 33, 9, and 9, while Davis finished with 32 points and 14 boards on 15-of-20 shooting. At one point, it seemed like he would never miss.

“In those moments of truth when we had opportunities to get the game closer, it usually seemed to end up in some kind of offensive rebound or something near the basket. But this is the deal and if you want something badly enough, you’ll figure out how to overcome it,” said Spoelstra. 

“They have great size and [Davis] is an elite player. We’re trying to get something accomplished and you just have to go to another level. That’s the bottom line.”

Can they get to the next level? On the way to the finals, against favored opponents like Milwaukee and Boston, Miami managed to do so. Doing the same against the Lakers will be tougher given their higher level of competition and Miami’s battle against ailments. 

The Bucks had elite rim protection but vulnerable perimeter defense. It’s why Butler was their leading scorer in that series. The Celtics had elite perimeter defense but inferior rim protection. That’s why Adebayo was the leading scorer in the conference finals

The Heat were already underdogs with a healthy complete team. In fact, their overall depth was considered their biggest asset to upset LA. Even with Adebayo returning – it’s unclear if Dragic can do the same – can a sub-healthy Miami roster make this series competitive?

Or will the Lakers cruise to banner 17?

“We’re never giving up,” claimed Butler. “We’re going to fight and we’re going to ride with this thing until the wheels fall off. It’s not over. We’re just down 0-2, so we got to do something special. We’re capable of it and I wouldn’t want to be in the trenches with any other guys except for the ones that we have.”

After being thoroughly outplayed in the first 6 quarters of this series, Miami built momentum by outscoring the Lakers by 4 in the second half of Game 2. Of course, with LA already ahead and the Heat playing desperate, context matters. 

Spoelstra, however, can find solace in his team’s new rhythm through screen-and-roll plays and by having Butler take a larger fulcrum role in generating the offense. 

Injuries to Adebayo and Dragic have forced Olynyk and Kendrick Nunn back in the rotation, and so far, the two have produced well.

And if all else fails, Udonis Haslem is always ready to deliver a speech that’s PG-13.

“Play harder,” was Haslem’s message, according to Butler.

“Empty the tanks.”

Whatever the Miami Heat have left, they will have to empty it against an opponent that, right now, looks superior to them in every facet of the game. 

But based on what the Heat are saying, if there’s one thing the Lakers can’t take away from them, it’s their spirit.

I love these guys,” said Spo. 

“I love the way we compete. We have to figure out how to overcome this and get over the top.” – Rappler.com