Sixers vs. Heat Game 4 Preview - 4/22/11

Heat vs. Sixers: Game 4 Preview

Steve Kerr and Marv Albert look ahead to a must-win Game 4 between the Heat and Sixers in Philadelphia.

Practice: Doug Collins - 4/22/2011

Collins observes that rebounding and free throw disparities cost the Sixers Game 3 and hopes to turn his team around for Game 4

Practice: Andre Iguodala - 4/22/2011

With his scoring still lagging in this series, Iguodala wants to be in attack mode on Sunday

Practice: Elton Brand - 4/22/2011

Brand reflects on Game 3 and gives his thoughts on heading into Game 4

The Sixers face an uphill battle on Sunday, down 3-0 against the second-seeded Miami Heat. Philly fans will be out in full force on Easter Sunday to help push the series to a fifth game back in Miami. The Sixers have gotten off to strong starts twice in this series, only to see Miami claw back and gradually assume control of the game. If the Sixers want to hold off the Heat for 48 minutes, making these adjustments to their performance in Game 3 is a good place to start.

Take Care of the Defensive Glass

The Heat opened the fourth quarter with a 17-5 run to take their biggest lead of the night at 90-80. Miami owed some of their push to the Sixers' shooting slump, but it was their ability to extend possessions through offensive rebounding and to put the ball back in the hands of two of the best players in the world that won the game for the Heat.

"I look at the big picture," Collins said. "[Miami] shot 45 percent from the floor with 20 offensive rebounds. That's the game. Twenty offensive rebounds, 24 points off offensive rebounds and 48 points in the paint. There was nothing wrong with our offense."

Even with the Sixers scoring 94 points and limiting Miami to a respectable 45.6 percent shooting, the lack of rebounding was hard to make up for.

Get Thad Going

Thaddeus Young has been an offensive powerhouse off the bench all season for Coach Collins, averaging 12.7 points and over 5 assists per game. He finished third in voting for the Sixth Man of the Year award. However, in the third game of the series, Young was 1 for 8 from the floor with two turnovers and four points in 22 minutes.

"You get diminishing returns because Thad gets worn down," Collins said. "He plays so hard. He plays with incredible activity and energy."

This is a serious blow for the Sixers, who have trouble scoring in the half-court set. Joel Anothony smothered a frustrated Thad as he continually attacked the rim all game. Young is one of the best finishers on the team and the Sixers need more offensive production out of their hard-working forward.

Put Miami in Foul Trouble

A point of disgust for Collins had to be the fact that Wade, James and Bosh, the heralded "Big Three," played a combined 124 minutes and scored 75 points, but committed a measly two fouls all game. If the Big Three get in foul trouble, Erik Spoelstra will have no choice but to sub out his stars, giving the Sixers a chance to capitalize on Miami's weak bench. If attacking the rim on offense isn't getting the job done, a tactic Philly hasn't emphasized yet this series is attempting to take charges. Wade and James are masters at driving violently at the rim and drawing fouls. The smaller Sixers guards should attempt to post up for the charge instead of trying to combat the super-human strength of the Miami Heat.