Heat lack killer instinct

The Heat are up 2-0 and I am going to be guilty of something Pat Riley is calling the media out for - for judging this team too harshly.

But I have been a big proponent of this squad and the moves Riley the GM made this past offseason, so I think I have a little wiggle-room on this: I don't think the Heat are playing intense enough to get past the second round, let alone win a rematch with the Detroit Pistons - if it comes to pass.

In tonight's game 2 with the Bulls, the Heat had reached 100 points with 9:19 left in the 4th quarter. It got to 102-87 with 7:51 left and then the lead was widdled down to 102-91 with 4:41 left in the 4th. At one point, it got within 4 points as the Heat allowed the Bulls to get back into the game.

The problem with the Heat was not offense - they were scoring at ease. In fact, they may have gotten a little slack with the game, thinking once they reached 100 points their job was done. At the end of the game, both teams were scoring with, what seems to be, ease. The Heat shot 52% while the Bulls shot 53% for the game.

The key was the difference between the 3rd and 4th quarters. It was night and day. In the 3rd, the Heat scored 27 points to the Bulls 19 to end 95-76 in favor of the Heat. James Posey had hit 3 three pointers and contributions were coming from everyone on the floor. The Heat clamped down on D, everyone attacked the rim. Everyone played aggressive defense.

Then the 4th happened.

The Heat hit 100 points and everything seemed to be in place for a blow out, but the Heat got complacent. They started to shoot threes and play soft on defense. They no longer attacked the rim and gave far too many open shots to Kirk Hinrich, who decided to take over the game. The Bulls shot 14-21 (66%) in the 4th, Hinrich alone was 7-9 (77%) from the floor.

This is NOT the way you win championships. This is not the way you make it easier on your hobbling team, either. Ideally, the Heat should have continued to attack in the 4th quarter, and sat their starters down and let their bench take over and ride out the big lead for the win. Demoralize your opponents as you go to Chicago for Game 3. You don't want your opponent feeling like time ran out otherwise the result would have been different. The Bulls are a young and hungry team and they won't quit playing. Scott Skiles is an excellent strategist in terms of creating matchups and demands that his players dont quit. And they won't.

The Heat can learn something from the Bulls - they can learn what it will take to win a championship. They have to put the Bulls away early and keep them put away, not just misplaced.

If the Heat don't realize this, they will have this series dragged out and on longer than it needs to be. Not even Wade's newly shorned head can gleam a path through the impending jungle.

Riley is right, this team is judged too harshly. This team is up 2-0 and heading to Chicago for the coup de grace on the series and their young opponents. Let's hope for no more attrition though and instead, see if this team can respond and not only come out with intensity, but sustain it until after the final bell rings.