NBA Finals Game 2: Things We Learned

Three Things We Learned:

Russell Westbrook needs to get mentally tough early in games
Courtesy: NBAE

1.     Russell Westbrook Needs To Stay In Control

Through 2 games this series, Russell Westbrook has played brilliantly in 4^th quarters, helping spark Oklahoma City’s comebacks in both games. Unfortunately, Westbrook was also one of the main reasons the Thunder needed to comeback in the first place in game 2. We all know Westbrook plays with a ton of emotion. But in the 1^st quarter of game 2 it seemed to overwhelm Westbrook at times. He seemed out of control early in the game, a tendency he cannot continue for OKC to win the series.

2.     The Heat Are Better With Chris Bosh In The Starting Lineup

Game 2 saw Chris Bosh return to the Heat’s starting lineup, a move that could alter the series in a big way. Having Bosh on the floor to begin the game not only gives the Heat another scoring threat right off the bat, it also means the Thunder’s best shot blocker—Serge Ibaka—can’t clog the middle of the key. This in turn allows LeBron and Dwyane Wade to get to the rim more consistently and easily. Both LeBron and Wade are at their best when attacking the middle of the key and, with Bosh starting, both players can come out of the gate aggressively.

3.     The First Half—Really the first Three Quarters—Don’t Matter

Two games in, two double-digit halftime leads, two down-to-the-wire finishes. These two teams are evenly matched, and because of that, every game should come down to the final minutes. In other words, even if a team has a 20-point lead going into the third quarter, don’t wander far from the NBA finals. This series is going to be a nail-biter.