On the same day of the annual running of the Indy 500, thanks to some hot shooting in the first half and the emergence of Chris Andersen, the Miami Heat turned Game Three of the East Finals into their own personal grand prix.
Led by LeBron James’ 22 points, four rebounds and three assists on 8-of-17 shooting from the field in a 114-96 win over Indiana, the Heat moves two wins closer to their third straight NBA Finals and a shot at their third NBA title.
In snapping Indiana’s six-game home winning streak, the Heat shoot 63 percent en route to scoring a franchise-best 70 points in the first half, one point fewer than the most the Pacers have ever allowed in the playoffs.
Boston scored 71 points against the Pacers in 1992, per ESPN Stats & Information.
Lost amidst Miami’s high-flying trio of James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh has been the hot shooting of their multi-tattooed Mohawk-rocking power forward in Andersen.
Andersen, originally signed to a 10-day contract after playing for the Denver Nuggets, has made 16 consecutive shots, per ESPN Stats & Information has shot 85.4 percent, based on a minimum 40 attempts, and in the East Finals, is shooting a perfect 13-of-13 from the field.
For you math geeks out there, that’s 100 percent.
While he will not get the attention that James, Wade or Bosh will on the front page, Anderson’s ability to go down low, grab timely rebounds and make clutch shots is beginning to turn heads—along with his many tattoos.
With his nine rebounds(six defensive and three offensive)in last night’s game, Andersen is also beginning to give Miami the one element it has been lacking down low, a big man in the post capable of grabbing loose balls down low.
While he is not this generation’s coming od Dennis Rodman just yet, thanks to his festive look and colorful “Birdman” moniker, he may be the Heat’s much needed—and equally colorful—version.
Robert D. Cobb is the Founder/CEO/Senior Editor-In-Chief Of The Inscriber : Digital Magazine, for questions, comments and concerns email me at [email protected] follow me on Twitter @RC_TheInscriber and follow The Inscriber : Digital Magazine on Twitter at @TheInscriber
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