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Danger lurks for the Miami Heat after going 8-1 in the first two rounds of the 2020 NBA Playoffs. The victories of the Los Angeles Clippers and Toronto Raptors were a wake-up call for anyone who believes that talent only guarantees a championship. .
A headline from the Western Conference semifinals says: Clippers defense chokes Nuggets in Game 4 win.
“Kawhi Leonard and the Los Angeles Clippers used their length and intensity for a dominant defensive effort and a 96-85 victory over the Denver Nuggets in Game 4 of a Western Conference semifinal series.”
Meanwhile, in the Eastern Conference, the Raptors needed two overtime to beat the most talented team in the Boston Celtics and force a game seven. Some on Twitter even described coach Nick Nurse as an “evil genius” who caused Jayson Tatum to make a crucial loss late in the game.
Nick Nurse. 6th Raptor on the ground. Evil genius. “
Technically, even touching the black line on the court is considered out of bounds. Here’s another angle.
“Nick Nurse just drew Tatum on that pass?”
Welcome to compete against the Raptors in the playoffs.
“IT IS BETTER UNDERSTAND THE GRINDING”
Then Nurse goes old school to seal the game as he clears the court for Kyle Lowry to go one-on-one against Kemba Walker.
“COLD BLOOD”
It’s no wonder Lowry and Jimmy Butler are best friends.
“The coach believes in us and in what we do.”
The Celtics weren’t supposed to lose with a lineup with Tatum, Walker, Jason Brown, Marcus Smart, Daniel Theis. On paper, they are far more talented than the Raptors, but games are not won on paper. Next, the Heat will face a more talented team or one trained by an “evil genius.”
While the Heat defeated the teams using traditional methods, the players and coaches go to another level. Coaches don’t reveal their best plans during the regular season, as explained. The Raptors saved their season by changing strategy on the fly to force Game 7 against the Celtics.
“For Raptors coach Nick Nurse, the key move was going small down the stretch, benching two decorated veterans, and turning to OG Anunoby, a 23-year-old small forward who is 6-foot-7, like its center “.
Marc Gasol started the game for the Raptors, but then who closes may turn out to be a different story.
“As this series unfolded, the nurse reduced Gasol’s role and turned more frequently to [Serge] Ibaka, who is better equipped to handle the Celtics’ many backcourt playmakers. With Toronto in another fight tooth and nail with Boston, Nurse walked away from both in Game 6 by putting Anunoby in the middle with eight minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. That move allowed him to insert reserve guard Norman Powell into his last five alongside forward Pascal Siakam and guards Kyle Lowry and Fred VanVleet. “
Nurse later revealed in a practical way that the best coaches do not show all their cards during the regular season. Translation: “I am not giving something away for nothing.”
“The thought process was about three games in the making,” Nurse said afterward. “I’ve been talking about doing it and getting to it for a long time. I had just never found it or pulled the trigger until we got there the other night. “
“We are at a stage where the stakes are high,” Nurse said. “Only good teams can win at this stage.”
The Heat still don’t know who they’ll face next week, but rest assured to expect the unexpected. Winners do not tell anyone about their plans.
