It was an epic matchup tonight as the Heat went to LA to take on the upstart Clippers.
The Clippers, rejuvenated with the additions of Chris Paul, Chauncey Billups, ex-heat Caron Butler and the development of young all-star Blake Griffin would Shirley like to make a statement against the powerhouse Heat. And they came to play.
“The level was definitely raised a little bit,” Griffin said. “We were tired, but the intensity was as high as it should be.”
Right out of the gate there were excellent plays at the rim for Miami and a beauty of an alley-oop from Paul to Griffin.
In fact the entire game was classic NBA action for the ages.
Fast paced, well executed basketball with acrobatic finishes all over the damn place.
If there was a turnover of any kind, it was most likely going to end in spectacular fashion at the other end of the court.
It went on all night with Miami taking a slight lead and the Clippers trying to make a continuous push to get over the hump.
Eventually a lack of free-throw conversions doomed Miami to take the loss.
“I didn’t make enough,” James said. “It’s kind of a rhythm and it trickles down to everyone.”
“I need to concentrate a little more at the free-throw line and knock them down and we’ll be fine,” LeBron would go on to say.
Free throws are such a pain in the ass and give no recognition to the athletic abilities of a player.
Thats why I propose a new penalty system.
Although it is more exhausting it would be great for athletic players like LeBron.
The player gets the ball at half-court and drives one-on-one against a player chosen by the other teams coach.
1 drive to the basket, make it and get 2 points.
Bad idea? Probably.
But anyways, the “Lob City Showdown” lived up to the billing.
“We can learn from this,” Wade said. “I thought we got what we wanted. A lot of times we were able to get LeBron to the rim.”
“I was encouraged by our execution,” Spoelstra said.
Back-to-back loss in OT against the Clipps?
Not bad.
Crab dribble.