How the Los Angeles Lakers attacked the Miami Heat’s zone in Game 2

The Los Angeles Lakers did not sweat attacking the zone defense in Game 2, frustrating every attempt by the Miami Heat to expose them with a basic approach.

Despite some late run in the second half, the Los Angeles Lakers were clearly in control of Game 2 all along. Erik Spoelstra’s game plan was based on playing a 2-3 zone defense for almost the entirety of the time, trying to limit Anthony Davis. An impossible task worsened by the absence of his All-Star center Bam Adebayo.

So, playing full-time zone looked like the best option for Spo, and probably was, except for the fact that it resulted not effective at all. As a matter of fact, AD closed the game with 32 points, shooting a spectacular 15-for-20 from the field.

The Heat had quite the opposite of the desired effect. Could you believe it? Either Spoelstra does not understand the game of basketball or Davis is as unstoppable as it comes.

I would not trust the first assertion. Pat Riley’s protege’s resume talks for itself, and the fact that he brought this team to the finals winning the previous series on the strategical level proves that he is more than competent. It looks more like the second case.

But AD’s greatness alone would not be enough. It is the way the Lakers effectively attacked the zone that allowed him to have such a big night, and them to come out victorious. So, props to Frank Vogel and the other players.

Los Angeles tried to disrupt the defense with the most basic and known approach. Deploying a player in the high post to receive the ball and manage from it, forcing the defense to make choices. Unsurprisingly, everything revolved around LeBron James and Davis.

The defense would be overconcerned with Anthony in every situation, creating opportunities for his teammates. When sharing the floor with Dwight Howard, he took that central spot, and with Miami’s players collapsing on him, Dwight had good low-looks.

Otherwise, when he played the five, stationing under the rim, we saw cases where the high-post player was left totally and unjustifiably alone to make sure AD did not receive the ball.

If it saved Miami from Davis scoring on them on the inside, it allowed his fellow to do whatever he wanted and most of the time come out with a basket or a good look for a teammate. A pair of cases involving Rajon Rondo stood out.

And even in such circumstances, LeBron James was great playing on the wing, promptly sneaking behind the Heat’s second line and commanding inevitable attention that forced them to rotate and leave The Brow alone in the paint for the easy duce.

The Lakers also accepted the challenge of Miami’s defense, attempting a finals record 47 threes. With a 2-3 zone, you have to live with it. Anyway, in many instances, the purple and gold were left unacceptably alone on the arc. And in fact, although they did not shoot very well on 34 percent, the Heat paid it.

Spoelstra is not stupid and it is hard to believe that he told his players to leave opponents so free on many numerous occasions. It seems more like the people were not ready and capable to address such opponents. Maybe, he should have tried to switch more to a one-on-one defense, and we must not be surprised if he will decide to do it in Game 3.

Bottom line, it looks like the Heat do not have answers against this Lakers, and on the other side, LA is having no trouble attacking them, whatever they come up with. Having the best one-two punch in the NBA is certainly the key, but the collective effort is to be praised.