"Big 3" are Big Time in the Playoffs

Alright, after their game 4 performance I'm sold. The Miami Heat, much maligned all year long for not being able to hang with top competition, now stand one win away from the Eastern Conference Finals. After all of the hype following "The Decision", this team is living up to all of the expectations at exactly the right time. And the numbers don't lie.

Mike Fuentes - Associated Press

Miami's Big 3 of Lebron James, Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh are averaging a combined 65.2 points, 25 rebounds and 11 assists per game. Compared against the entire team averages, it means that they're accounting for just under 70% of the Heat's points and assists along with 57% of their rebounds. That is unbelievable production. But it's not just on the offensive side of the ball. Their opponents are averaging a pedestrian 88 points per game, often times not being able to run with the Miami on fast break opportunities or maintain their breakneck pace.

But the most telling aspect of their game isn't going to show up in the stat line; their poise and composure has shown through in the playoffs. After a disheartening loss in game 3 against Boston, many wondered how the Heat would respond in game 4. They were facing a veteran team with Championship experience that wasn't prone to panic in the postseason. And everything was there for the Heat to fold. Late game heroics from Ray Allen and Paul Pierce, followed by a turnover by Lebron almost let the Celtics walk away with it. But in another close game coming down to the wire, the Heat did something they failed to do most of the regular season; their defense held on and forced OT. Indeed, it was their defense that carried the way in the late stages of the game. Between the 4th quarter and OT, the Heat outscored the Celtics 29-17.

These kinds of performances are what we expected of the Miami Heat when the season started. We all expected them to contend with the big boys from the start and when they fell flat at first, everyone in the media wanted to lump this team with some of the other great hype trains in sports (2008 Detroit Tigers anyone??). But this is the playoffs, and the playoffs are all about be able to play your best ball at the right time of year. That's what the Heat are doing now, and it's because of the "Big 3".