You can tell that it’s a team’s time to win when role players come out with the games of their lives. That happened with the Mavericks last season when guys like J.J. Barea, DeShawn Stevenson, and Jason Terry went off against the Heat. On Thursday night in Miami, Mike Miller’s sharpshooting confirmed that it was the Heat’s time to win a title.
Miller went 7-for-11 from the field including 7-for-8 from three-point range for a season-high 23 points. Yes, Mike Miller had his best game of the season in the Heat’s close-out Game 5. This was actually his second-highest scoring total during two injury-filled seasons with the Heat (he had 32 last year against the Raptors).
Miller has battled back injuries throughout the past two years and it was a struggle for him to make it onto the court. He even confirmed after the series ended that he is contemplating retirement. But for one game, almost every shot he took fell in, and his accuracy is a big reason Miami won with ease 121-106.
The Heat don’t get a lot of credit for what they do, but Pat Riley should be recognized for assembling a nice supporting cast for his big three. Shane Battier had his struggles against the Pacers and Celtics, but he was incredible in the Finals shooting 58% on threes. With him and Mike Miller knocking down their outside shots, the Heat became unstoppable.
