4. Goran Dragić
Continue forcing Dragić to shoot 33% from three-point range
Goran Dragić has been excellent for Miami during the playoffs, switching from backup point guard to a starter after former starting point guard, Kendrick Nunn got injured before the playoffs. Dragić is currently the Heat’s leading scorer in the playoffs and he has scored it from everywhere on the court thus far.
However, in the Eastern Conference Finals, his three-point percentage took a major dip. Against the Boston Celtics, Dragić shot just 33% from deep, on approximately 6.5 attempts per game. His two worst games from behind the arc allowed the Celtics to escape with two victories during the series, but he shot particularly well from three in the Heat’s four wins.
https://twitter.com/MiamiHEAT/status/1309141790600040448?s=20
Now while there are of course several other factors at play, the Heat do rely on Dragić’s three-point shooting to win them games. The only other game they lost this postseason was in game four of the Semifinals against the Milwaukee Bucks, where Goran shot a horrific 1-9 from behind the arc.
The Lakers have the guards to help irritate Goran Dragić in, Danny Green, Rajon Rondo, and Alex Caruso, who more than likely will handle the assignment more often than not. Dragić isn’t the most athletic guard, but he is crafty which the Los Angeles Lakers will have to adapt to quickly.
If the Lakers can continue to force Goran Dragić to struggle with his long-range shooting, it will put pressure on the rest of the Heat to step up in the scoring department. The Heat are well known as a three-point shooting team, so forcing one of their better shooters to around 30-33% from deep would be ideal.