Blocks big for Miami - Boston Herald

The starting center for the Heat, Ronny Turiaf, measures 6-foot-10 and averaged one block per game this season. Turiaf’s primary backup, Joel Anthony, is 6-9 and typically gives up about 20-30 pounds to opposing centers. Miami’s best defensive big man, Chris Bosh, has missed the last seven games with an abdominal strain.

Despite all of those handicaps, Miami has protected the rim with ferocity against the Celtics [team stats] in the first two games of the Eastern Conference finals.

“We’re not the biggest team, but we make up for it in a lot of different ways, just being active,” guard Dwyane Wade said. “Coach loves us when we’re that way. A lot of times it’s great when we get the block and are able to get out and go.”

It’s the “get out and go” that makes Miami’s blocked shots so lethal. When the Heat block a shot it seems to invariably lead to a highlight reel play at the other end.

“If you block it out of bounds, the other team takes it out and it’s no blood,” said the 6-8 Shane Battier, who has replaced Bosh at power forward. “Some of the blocks we get, especially LeBron (James) and Dwyane, they keep the ball in play, which leads to breaks, which leads to dunks for those guys and it gets the crowd in the game and it can be a big momentum-shifter for us.”

The Heat blocked 11 shots in their Game 1 win, and altered at least as many layup attempts. They only had five blocks in Game 2, but three led directly to five fast-break points in the third quarter, a period in which they outscored the Celtics by 13 points.

“Definitely, a defensive stop is just as effective as a big dunk,” James said. “They are both momentum-changing plays.”

James averaged just 0.8 blocks game this season, but the mere sight of the 6-8, 250-pound athletic freak closing on an offensive player can affect a shot. He has made chase-down blocks in transition his signature play, so much so Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo [stats] missed a layup in Game 2 because he was more focused on James coming from behind.

Wade isn’t as physically imposing but, at 1.3 blocks game, is actually a more prolific shot-blocker than James.

“Dwyane is probably the best 6-foot-2 shot-blocker I’ve seen,” Battier said, playfully shaving two inches from his teammate. “Those guys have unbelievable timing, obviously. Joel is a great shot-blocker for being an undersized center. . . . The key is being active. If you’re active, you’re going to be in position to make those sorts of plays.”