Simple Play Dooms Mavericks
DALLAS (CBSMiami.com) – Basketball fans of high-flying, high-octane offense have likely been bummed out by the NBA Finals so far, because it's not about dunks or fast breaks, it's been about old-fashioned "fundamental basketball," as Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra said.
It was especially evident in the Heat's last scoring play of the night during Game 3. It started with a pick-and-roll and then the ball was rotated to the opposite side of the court. During the rotation, Udonis Haslem set an off-the-ball screen on Dallas Mavericks star Dirk Nowitzki and Chris Bosh drifted outside.
LeBron James made the final pass of the rotation to Bosh who calmly nailed a game winning jump shot from the left baseline.
"I knew I was going to have an open shot," Bosh said. "I know I have to shoot it. I just wanted to have good from, follow through. And I'm lucky."
Bosh had a rough game from getting poked in the eye early to only shooting 6 for 17 in the game. But his teammates never faltered in their belief in Bosh.
"I don't care if he missed 15 in a row," LeBron said. "He was wide open and that's his sweet spot."
Bosh said he expected the play to run just like it did, including LeBron throwing the ball from his side rather than turning and facing him with the pass.
"It was the right play," Bosh said. "We trust each other. Our guys have been doing a fantastic job of showing that trust, especially in crunch time situations."
