Miami Heat Defense Limiting Derrick Rose

DRose hasn’t been very MVP-like in the Eastern Conference Finals so far, and for that, he can thank the stifling Heat defense. From the Miami Herald: “Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said Sunday morning that defending Derrick Rose is ‘like trying to contain a tornado.’ During much of Game 3 Sunday, Rose was more like a steady drizzle — irritating (from a Heat perspective), but not horribly destructive. And though he had some good moments at times in finishing with 20 points, he didn’t do nearly enough to swing the game in Chicago’s favor … ‘They’re doubling me every pick and roll. I’m trying to create for others,’ Rose said afterward. ‘That’s what I’m going to try to continue to do, sometimes try to beat the double team, sometimes try to pass and make it easy. They’re closing in on the paint.’ In the fourth quarter, Rose had three assists but also two turnovers, his only two of the game. He closed with just five assists, none in the first half. ‘We’ve got to find a way to find easier baskets,’ he said. Sunday’s performance followed a disappointing Game 2 in which Rose scored 21 but shot just 7 for 23.”