Miami’s Mario Chalmers continues to produce in Finals
Reporting from Dallas
Good Mario apparently has chosen to stay around for a while.
Uneven through the first three rounds of the playoffs, Miami Heat backup point guard Mario Chalmers has now strung together three productive efforts in these NBA Finals, allowing the Heat to take a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series against the Dallas Mavericks.
“But it’s about consistency,” Miami Coach Erik Spoelstra cautioned Monday, as the Heat looked ahead to Tuesday’s Game 4 at American Airlines Center. “So can he do it again?”
After shooting three for eight in each of the series’ first two games, Chalmers shot four for eight in Sunday’s 88-86 Game 3 victory, each conversion a three-pointer.
At eight for 19 on three-pointers in the series, the three-year veteran has helped keep the Mavericks’ zone defense honest, the only player on the roster other than LeBron James shooting above 40% from beyond the arc in the series.
“He is not afraid and is not going to shy away from the moment,” Spoelstra said.
Averaging 11 points per game, Chalmers is the Finals’ only reserve beyond Mavericks guard Jason Terry scoring in double figures.
As has been the case throughout his pro career, it has been an uneven postseason ride. After shooting 13 for 35 in the opening round against the Philadelphia 76ers, Chalmers shot four for 15 on three-pointers in the second round against the Boston Celtics.
That was followed by 10-for-16 shooting against the Chicago Bulls in the Eastern Conference finals, a series when he succumbed to the defensive pressure of C.J. Watson, used for only 90 minutes over the five games.
But in this series, he has provided relief points.
“Just trying to have no letdowns,” he said Monday. “You never know when you’re going to have this moment again.”
Defending Dirk
After watching Chris Bosh fail on a late defensive assignment in the Heat’s 95-93 Game 2 loss, Miami backup power forward Udonis Haslem said Monday he relished getting the final defensive assignment and stop Sunday against Dirk Nowitzki.
“I’m sure both of us look forward to an opportunity like that. I was just fortunate enough the shot didn’t go in,” Haslem said of Nowitzki’s 16-footer as time expired. “He’s made that shot dozens of times. An awkward shot for another guy is a good shot for him.”
Just to be in the moment meant plenty for Haslem. When he underwent foot surgery in November, there were no guarantees of a return this season.
“I figured I would be able to come back maybe five, 10 minutes a game, some leadership, some toughness,” said Haslem, who played 29 minutes Sunday and is averaging that amount in the series. “I didn’t envision myself being in that position, but it’s been a blessing. My teammates have stayed behind me. The coaching staff kept encouraging me.”
More help for Nowitzki
After three games, one thing is evident: the Mavericks need to help Nowitzki. He and forward Shawn Marion have been the only consistent scorers in the series.
“I think the first three games we didn’t do that,” guard Jose Barea said. “I think if you see the first three rounds, we were doing that. Everybody was helping. That’s what got us here. We’ll see. We need to provide help more.”
Nowitzki is averaging 28.3 points a game in the Finals. Barea and guards Jason Kidd and Terry have been among the supporting cast to disappoint. Center Tyson Chandler, who was expected to hold an advantage in the series, has yet to make an impact.
“We have to respect the floor,” Chandler said. “Right now they are loading up on Dirk. They are double-teaming him. We have to do a better job of getting opportunities and making things a little easier.”
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