Dwyane Wade’s Missteps Don’t Cost HEAT
(Dwyane) Wade’s normal path in this situation would be to follow up with a strong finishing quarter as well. But in that fourth quarter, nothing went according to plan for Wade.
In fact, it was almost dreadful enough to undo all the good he did in that third quarter.
It wasn’t just that Wade had zero field-goal attempts in the fourth and managed just a point. It was a series of plays that can now be completely forgotten because the ledger says the Heat are up 2-0 in this series.
As the Heat’s lead was dwindling, early in the period, it was a pair of plays in which Wade was involved that finally gave the Celtics the edge.
First, he was caught helping off Mickael Pietrus enough to allow him a wide-open 3-pointer that cut the Heat lead to 85-84. And on the ensuing possession, Wade tried a cross-court pass over a Celtics double-team that was intercepted by Rondo for a bucket that put Boston ahead by a point — a lead they held for the next five minutes of play.
But that wasn’t even the worst of it.
After it appeared Wade helped salvage the Heat win by finding his good buddy Udonis Haslem for a jumper that gave Miami a four-point lead with 1:08 left, Wade let the win in regulation slip out of his hands — and into Ray Allen’s.
With 47 seconds left, Wade missed one of two free throws, keeping the Celtics within three points. But erratic free throw shooting has been part of his repertoire in these playoffs. It was his decision on the ensuing Boston possession that was most damaging.
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