http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/basketball/heat/ sfl-hornets26apr26,0,2936824.story?coll=sfla-sports-heat Whole shooting match has changed between Heat, Hornets By Ira Winderman Staff Writer Posted April 26 2004 NEW ORLEANS -- Make outside shots or go home. Apparently, that has become the mandate in this best-of-7 playoff series. With the Heat packing the lane and winning the series' first two games, and with the Hornets adopting that approach in Game 3 to close within 2-1, it likely will take success over the top to put a team over the top in the first-round pairing. "I think we probably stole a page out of their book," Hornets guard David Wesley said of the tack that limited the Heat to .329 shooting in Saturday's Game 3, its worst percentage ever in a playoff game. "We closed up the middle and limited their inside game." Van Gundy said he expects it to remain the Hornets' approach. "I certainly think it is after yesterday, no question," he said Sunday. "I think that they will stay back in the paint as much as they can and protect the rim." While the Heat has added scorers this season, in Lamar Odom and Dwyane Wade it hasn't necessarily upgraded its shooting. It's as if that insight finally dawned on the Hornets upon their return home after falling behind 0-2. Van Gundy said it is incumbent on the Heat to find the best shots for its offense, instead of the distant opportunities New Orleans has elected to provide. "When you look at your field-goal percentage, it tends to reflect the quality of shots you're getting, at least in relation to the type of team you have," he said, with the Heat at 39.5 percent through the first three games. "What may be good shots for other people and other teams may not be good shots for your team." The Hornets seemingly have figured that out, as they prepare for Tuesday's Game 4 at New Orleans Arena. "We talked about Miami as a team shooting the ball 10 feet and out," forward George Lynch said. "We just had a conscious effort packing it in, keeping them away from the basket." INTENSE TIMES The Hornets held a 30-minute walkthrough at their suburban practice facility Sunday, with coach Tim Floyd braced for a physical conclusion to the series. "It will only increase with each game," he said. "It's not going to decrease, that's for sure." ... Even with Caron Butler having emerged as the Heat's scoring leader in the series, Floyd said he is not about to lose sight of the rest of the roster. "I'm a coach," he said. "I'm going in thinking Wang Zhi-Zhi can beat us right now." ON THE MOVE Floyd said it was basic basketball that had his team back on defense in Game 3 to defuse the Heat's fast break. "I've always believed that five guys without the ball should be able to get down the court faster than five guys with the ball," he said. ... Floyd alluded to the championship Bulls he never got to coach during his tenure in Chicago when discussing the Heat's transition game. "It's much like the old Bulls teams with [Scottie] Pippen as a rebounder and push man," he said. "Lamar Odom has the ability to do that. So does Eddie Jones. So does Caron Butler." Staff Writer Ethan Skolnick contributed to this report. Copyright c 2004, South Florida Sun-Sentinel --

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