Dallas Needs To Stop Doubling Miami’s Wing Post-Ups
In game three, the Miami Heat scored an average 13 points on 12 post up possessions. However, if you break this down further, you will notice that the Heat had a lot of success on the block when they were posting up either Dwyane Wade or LeBron James. On the six possessions where either Wade (fourtimes) or James (twice) posted up, the Heat came away with 11 points. The Heat are having so much success posting these two up, that the Dallas Mavericks may be forced to change the way that they defend the Heat’s wing post up possessions.
All series long, the Mavericks have sent a double team whenever James or Wade post up their man. When LeBron James gets posted up, it is usually a set play and in game three it was no different. James’ post up plays came on the first possession of the game and the first possession of the second half. These post up opportunities are a set play based on how the Heat know Dallas defends James on the block.
Expecting the double team to come from Joel Anthony’s man, the Heat actually use Anthony to set a pindown screen for a shooter on the weakside. In the first clip, the result is Anthony getting a good screen set on Jason Kidd, resulting in a three point shot for Mike Bibby. On the second play, the Heat look to run the same play, but Dallas being a little hesitant sends a double from Chris Bosh’s man. The result is still the same, with Bosh getting (and hitting) a wide open jumper.
