Game 1 Analysis: Miami 91, Detroit 86

Klask

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Detroit came out flat and lackadaisical. They looked a bit tired and failed to make the effort plays. In order to win at this level you not only need a solid first effort but a strong second effort. Aside from their free throws keeping the game close in the 1st quarter, Miami was in control. The rest/rust issue definitely helped Miami make plays. They were quick on rotations and shot well from the floor. Don't forget how rest/rust comes into play. Bottom line is Miami handled their business in Round 2 vs. New Jersey and reserved the right to rest while Detroit squandered a two-game lead to prolong their victory which I feel affected their effectiveness in Game 1. The Heat reaped the rewards of removing the Nets early which was a Game 1 victory in the Eastern Conference Finals.

Walker played a key supporting role with 17 points and seven rebounds. Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE/Getty Images

Dwyane Wade commented after the game that in order to win this time of year you need contribution from your supporting cast. Not only did they get support, but they got a surge from players three through eight, especially compared to the lackluster performance of Detroit's supporting cast. This factor really pushed the balance of the game in Miami's favor. To handle the stretch of the game when both Wade and Shaquille O'Neal were in foul trouble is the most important aspect of this win. We have to remember that many of Heat's co-stars were at one point or another major contributors for solid teams in Seattle (Gary Payton), Boston (Antoine Walker), Memphis (Jason Williams and James Posey) and Miami (Alonzo Mourning) so perseverance isn't an issue. I think one of Pat Riley's best coaching tactics was to get these player not only to accept their roles but to embrace them. Again, that stretch of the 2nd quarter without Shaq and Wade was critical and if that group can sustain their success, Detroit is in for an uphill battle.

First off I would like to comment on how well the game was officiated because officiating is the most thankless job in our league. Neither coach can really blame any one call as a deciding factor in the outcome. In the preview I mentioned that one of Miami's keys in beating Detroit was to keep their studs on the floor and away from fouls. In their regular season meetings vs. Detroit, Shaq and Wade produced 62 percent of the points. In Game 1, that number was only 43 percent. If you told me that this would be the difference after Game 1 I would have believed Detroit had won. With that being said, I feel Detroit really lost a great opportunity to steal a game in which they played poorly. The fact that they didn't take advantage of this game will come back to haunt them. This point is another testament on how prepared mentally, physically and emotionally the Heat were. Another haunting detail that the Palace tenants should be weary of is the rest Shaq and Wade received in Game 1. Both played less than 30 minutes so they should be refreshed for Game 2. You never think about how foul trouble could be beneficial, but it provided further rest for stars and allowed confidence to be instilled in the other players. Believe me, the last thing you want is a confident supporting cast led by a Fresh Dynamic Duo headed down 4 Championship Drive in Auburn Hills.

There are a few beliefs on why quality shooting teams don't shoot well: Either they are forced to take bad shots, or they miss open ones. Unfortunately, Detroit had a combination of both which led to dismal 38 percent shooting. They had enough open opportunities, but failed to connect. It isn't just that Detroit has a perimeter orientated offense that revolves around the outside shots, but that Miami did a good job of contesting the arc and forcing tough attempts so no player could really get into a rhythm. The Heat held the Pistons to an eight percent lower shooting from the field than in the regular season and an astounding 14 percent lower from 3-point range. Another factor that definitely didn't help Detroit was their inability to create easy baskets from transition, offensive rebounds or from the stripe. Just look at the free-throw differential from the first quarter and the rest of the contest. Detroit shot 13-for-13 from the free-throw line in the first yet only managed to shoot 6-of-9 for the remainder of the game. Easy buckets can create momentum when your offense is struggling. If they want to come back from South Beach, Flip Saunders will remind them that they can't just settle for outside jumpers.

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Charles Klask is an advance scout for the Orlando Magic, holding the position the last three seasons after spending the previous three as a video scout. Prior to joining the Magic, Klask spent one season with the WNBA's Detroit Shock in the role of video coordinator.