Heat, Bulls assume defensive posture

MIAMI — The Big Three was supposed to be all about offense. But if the Miami Heat become NBA champions, the reason could be all about defense.

Out in the Western Conference finals, the Oklahoma City Thunder and Dallas Mavericks are putting on an offensive clinic. But back East, in the tradition Dwyane Wade likes to refer to from time to time, there's some grit and hustle behind the flash.

Defense won Game 1 for the Bulls. It won Game 2 for the Heat. And it'll go a long way toward deciding who wins Game 3 Sunday night.

"We focus on our defense," Wade said Friday. "We understand that's what wins us games. That's at the end of the day how we look to win the games."

At the start of this series it was the Chicago Bulls putting the defensive clamps on LeBron James and Wade (they combined for only 33 points in Game 1) with a stifling effort.

After that game, the world shouted, the Bulls were going to win.

In Game 2, it was the Heat who suffocated the Bulls with defense. Derrick Rose scored 21 points on abysmal 7-of-23 shooting, the Bulls scored only 10 points in the fourth quarter and the Heat stole home-court advantage.

After that game, the world shouted, the Heat were destined for the Finals.

Truth is, there's a lot of series to go. Both teams are gearing up for a test of wills, stamina, strength and effort. The stars that shine brightest — LeBron, Wade, Rose — will likely lead their teams to wins.

But it's the defense of an opposing team that takes the sheen off such men.

"When you see all the ice packs on everybody after the game and you see guys laboring to get onto the bus, you see how physical of a series it is," Spoelstra said Friday. "Our guys are not shying away from it. Neither team is. Both teams have built these habits for the entire season."

To be sure, defense — for whichever teams advance to the Finals — will be by no means the only factor.

"Defense wins championships," Wade said. "But there's other things that win championships. Rebounds win championships. You have to have phenomenal players that are able to put the ball in the basket. A lot of things."

Yes, a lot of things. Taj Gibson setting an arena on fire with one massive dunk. Udonis Haslem reinvigorating his team with an awe-inspiring return. Key shots.

LeBron taking over a fourth quarter — or not.

Rose taking over a fourth quarter — or not.

Fewer turnovers. Winning the war in the paint and the battle for rebounds. Which bench plays better. Whether it's Carlos Boozer or Chris Bosh with the bigger disappearing (or re-emerging) act.

All of these things matter, but to advance the winning team is going to need some blood and guts.

"I don't think anybody is going to run away with any game," Haslem said. "It's not going to be a 23 point game every night. Every night is going to be a grind it out night. You know, we have to anticipate the next game being like that in Game 3."

Both teams have a season-long pedigree that says Haslem's probably right.

The Bulls boast the league's best defense. They rotate with one mind, they have versatile athletes on and off the bench who buy into Tom Thibodeau's system and it's paid off.

But the Heat aren't far behind in defensive prowess. As other parts of their game have stagnated, their defense has kept them moving forward, from win to win.

Miami finished the regular season eighth in scoring offense (102.1 points per game), second in field-goal percentage (48.1 percent) and sixth in three-point percentage (37 percent).

In the playoffs, those numbers have plummeted to 92.8 points per game, 44.3 percent field-goal shooting and 31.3 percent shooting from the three-point line.

But even when the Big Three have struggled with their jumpers, they haven't waned on defense.

"We know," LeBron likes to say, "our identity is defense."

They've played like it all season long. The Heat were sixth in points allowed (94.6 per game), second in field-goal percentage defense (43.4 percent) and ninth in three-point percentage defense (34.5 percent) in the regular season.

In the playoffs, they've allowed an impressive 88.8 points per game on 42-percent field-goal shooting despite opponents dropping in 40.6 percent of their three-point attempts.

Get ready for some more old-school, in-your-face, grind-it-out basketball Sunday.

Because both teams are playing a level of defense inspired by a shot at the ultimate prize.

You can follow Bill Reiter on Twitter.