Screen Shot 2014-02-13 at 12.05.30 AM

Miami Heat 111 Final

Recap | Box Score

 110 Golden State Warriors
David Lee, PF 33 MIN | 8-15 FG | 5-8 FT | 11 REB | 2 AST | 2 STL | 0 BLK | 3 TO | 21 PTS | +8Lee played well in is first start at center this season. The offense looked staggered and confused in the first half as the Warriors felt the wrath of the Heat’s swarming defense. Bogut’s absence led Lee to the starting center position against Chris Bosh, who Lee ate for 32 points on 13/17 shooting and 14 rebounds back in early January. Like all of the Warriors offense, this was a tale of two halves. Lee was 4 of 10 in the 1H but finish making 4 of his last 5 shots and forced the issue inside. Lee made all five of his free throws in the second half as suddenly was the only Warriors player on the roster that wanted to head to the free throw line. Defensively, Lee was slow to rotate in pick-and-roll defense and was seen staring on numerous occasions on the defensive end. This isn’t news, but it shows what a loss Andrew Bogut becomes when he’s not in the lineup. Bogut covers a lot of the team’s mistakes (especially Lee’s) and the Heat flourished inside with 56 points in the paint (36 coming in the 1H). Lee gets a much needed break this weekend, as his ailing shoulder is still a concern. The Warriors hope their starting frontcourt is available for their first game back after the break (@SAC).

Andre Iguodala, SF 40 MIN | 4-7 FG | 0-0 FT | 6 REB | 5 AST | 2 STL | 0 BLK | 2 TO | 9 PTS | +6Andre had the toughest task in basketball on Wednesday night: trying to contain the monster that is LeBron James. While Iguodala’s quickness and movement has looked significantly better over the last week or so, it will go unlooked every time against James. Iguodala only had nine points, but three of them came at the most crucial point of the game: with 1:22 left in the game Andre hits a turnout 18′ shot that put the Warriors ahead 105-104. Iguodala was hounding James on the final possession, but greatness reigned as James made an incredible 27′ shot. This isn’t on anyone but James.

Draymond Green, SF 31 MIN | 3-7 FG | 2-2 FT | 8 REB | 2 AST | 2 STL | 3 BLK | 2 TO | 8 PTS | -13Mark Jackson continues to favor Barnes in late game situations, and the way Harrison has been playing of late it’s slightly more acceptable. But, given the multitude of offensive weapons that Heat had out in their small lineup, Greens’ length and defensive prowess would’ve been welcomed to finish the game on Wednesday night. Green thrives in smaller lineups when he’s not asked to be a primary scorer. His presence is felt even more strongly when he’s coming off the bench, as he acts as the team’s most flexible defender who can guard mostly anyone from 2-5. Green was the second leading rebounder on the team, which is refreshing considering Thompson’s unwillingness to go inside for them. Some are criticizing Jackson for Green not being in on the Heat’s final possession, but I’ll say again: greatness reigned supreme.

Stephen Curry, PG 39 MIN | 8-14 FG | 9-9 FT | 5 REB | 7 AST | 1 STL | 0 BLK | 5 TO | 29 PTS | +4Curry did everything but get the win tonight. In fact, many thought he got his team the win when he hit a running bank shot with :14 seconds left to the Warriors up 109-108. Curry had five turnovers on the night, but two of them came in the 4Q, which just happens all too often. Keep in mind, most if not all of Curry’s production came in the final three quarters as Curry didn’t make a basket until the 2Q. The array of shots that Curry hit on Wednesday night were that of the Curry variety, and something fans and pundits alike have grown to love about watching him play. Should Jackson have pulled Curry for 3+ minutes in the 4Q? If Curry asked for rest he should’ve got it, but that’s contrary to what Eric Spoelstra did, who left LeBron James in the game even though he knew he was exhausted and extremely tired. The Heat extended their lead to 7 when he went out, but all in all, Curry made the shots he needed to make and a better, all-time great player made an incredible shot.

Klay Thompson, SG 35 MIN | 7-15 FG | 1-2 FT | 3 REB | 1 AST | 2 STL | 1 BLK | 1 TO | 17 PTS | +2Thompson was inconsistent (where have you seen that before) on the offensive end. As with any good shooter, he makes some shots he probably shouldn’t make and misses some you would think he makes every time in practice. As we’ve seen with Thompson, passes are limited and there is no greener light in the league between him and his fellow backcourt-mate. Thompson was shadowing multiple players all night and the Warriors even went to some zone defense at the end of the third quarter and into the fourth. Given his offensive inconsistency and streakiness, Thompson’s value on the defensive end is growing larger than his on the offensive end. While he’s a fantastic shooter, his inability to create contact, drive and grab rebounds has limited his production on that end of the floor. He can be so much more on the offensive end, it’s as if all the splashing has gotten to his head.

Quote of the game: 

We took it out of his hands initially. Initially they wanted him to bring the ball up the floor so Draymond (Green) was in deny. His strength, athleticism, speed and quickness — he got separation and got the basketball. The question then do you trap him? They spread the ball with shooters and what you don’t want to do in that situation is have a great passer hit one of the shooters in a rhythm for a three pointer. It was pick your poison. We were willing to live with defense one-on-one once he caught it. The defense was very good and Andre (Iguodala) did his job he just made a great shot. — Mark Jackson

The shot:

The shot from Club 200:

The glass:

Vintage Andre:

http://youtu.be/lcbPXQpr89w

Tweets of the game: