Dominate The Paint
Any team that wants a legitimate shot at beating the Miami Heat has to have a strong post game. Luckily for the San Antonio Spurs, they have the best post big man in the entire NBA and have to use size to their advantage.
Tim Duncan has found the fountain of youth at the age of 38 to remain at the top of his game in comparison to others players in the past at the same age. He may not be the same player he was 10 years ago, but limited minutes and proper rest throughout the playoffs and the regular season from coach Pop has extended his career and production longer than anyone would’ve envisioned. The big fundamental remains one of the most efficient players in the entire league and will have to carry that play to this series as their clear cut advantage.
With Miami played undersized always inserting Rashard Lewis, Udonis Haslem and even Shane Battier at the 4, San Antonio has to stay oversized and not give into small ball. The Heat have arguably one of the worst front court defenses in the entire league due to size and height, but have managed change the landscape of the NBA with the center position becoming extinct. As Tim Duncan remains a very rare breed of skilled big men with advanced fundamentals in-tact, he’ll need help at times from Matt Bonner and Boris Diaw with outside shooting relief. Doing so could enable not only Duncan, but Tiago Splitter to have their way in the paint – something the Miami Heat are fearful of.