[Memphis MadnessParticipant]

Before the Heat vs. Bulls series started I thought that the two benches were about equal.  After Taj Gibson’s great game 1, Udonis Haslem has been very good off the bench for Miami.  He has matched Gibson’s intensity and production off the bench.  Plus, Haslem is a veteran so he knows how to win.  Last night, Mike Miller finally showed up and had a very impactful game with 12 points and 9 rebounds.  Kyle Korver is still missing in action.  Even if his shot was falling he is a big liability on defense.  Miller is a good veteran and a better all-around player than Korver, similar to the Haslem vs. Gibson matchup.  The reserve point guard battle is about even between Mario Chalmers and CJ Watson.  … Asik has been playing very tough but he has been bruised and bloodied by the Heat.  At worst, the Heat’s bench is matching the Bull’s bench.  The Bulls had to have a much better bench for them to have won the series. 

I think the Bulls bench was overrated with Kyle Korver being the only outside threat and Taj Gibson being the only inside threat.  CJ Watson is solid but not an elite reserve guard.  Ronnie Brewer is a solid role player and very active (hit a big 3 pointer last night too) but he doesn’t create his own offense and is too much like Keith Bogans.  Asik is young and getting better but he is not there yet. 

In the starting lineup, Boozer is scoring pretty well, but Bosh is scoring more.  Bosh is the real difference this series.  He is playing great and is punishing Boozer on defense.  Boozer had to decisively win this matchup for the Bulls to win.  Instead, Bosh is winning the battle with the "eye test" if not strictly on points.

Noah is playing pretty well.  Rebounding at a very high rate and passing very well too.  But he isn’t really outscoring Joel Anthony by that much which is a HUGE problem for Chicago.  And it feels like Anthony is blocking more shots. 

 

 

 

 

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