http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/basketball/heat/ sfl-hornets27apr27,0,3395578.story?coll=sfla-sports-heat Hornets' Lynch expects rugged Game 4 By Ira Winderman Staff Writer Posted April 27 2004 NEW ORLEANS -- If Hornets forward George Lynch has his way, the Heat could be dealing with the kind of physical play that characterized its playoff appearances against the Knicks in the late '90s. "We've got to be ready to take fouls when we can," Lynch said as the Hornets prepared for tonight's Game 4 at New Orleans Arena, his team down 2-1 in the best-of-7 series. "The first two games, with them getting uncontested layups to the basket, guys ended their games with no fouls, two fouls. "You get six fouls in a playoff game and you've got to make a team earn every point." Lynch wasn't exactly calling the Heat pansies. But he made it clear that only real men should expect success for the balance of the matchup. "We've got to be ready to initiate the contact," he said. "If you're more physical than they are, they don't have a lot of big bodies out there. They're an athletic team. Athletic teams just like to run, run through the motions without being bumped." The Hornets took that approach in Game 3 and held on for a 77-71 victory. Lynch said it reminded him of what the playoffs used to be like, when he played on the Lakers with James Worthy and Magic Johnson. "I like to play physical," he said. "When I first came into the league, it was a man's league. It wasn't because you were a superstar that you got all the calls. They just let you play. The league tended to get away from that a little bit. "Not that you were trying to hurt guys, but when I came into the league with James and Magic and all those guys, they didn't allow guys to come through the paint without being challenged. It's something you were brought up to do. That's playoff basketball." And should the Heat choose to respond in kind, fine, said Lynch. "I think they'll be ready to be physical," he said. "They'll probably come out harder, making stronger cuts to the basket. But it's all about using your head, being in position to take charges." DOCTOR DAVIS Baron Davis, nursing a variety of injuries, sat out Monday's practice. Although a sore left ankle is his prime concern, when the Hornets guard was asked what didn't hurt, he said, "My left arm and my right leg." Actually, he was optimistic about Game 4, if only because it is a night game. "I think it helps loosen up a little more, because you have more time between shootaround and the game," he said, having hobbled noticeably through Saturday's noon start. "I think shootaround helps you get that blood flowing early in the morning." Although he seized control in Game 3 with 21 points, five assists and four steals -- all team highs -- he insisted he is not close to the top of his game. "I can't dunk. I can't cut," he said. "I'm not myself. I have to play more of a steady point-guard type game. I can't play to my strength, which is my athleticism and my quickness. I just have to kind of maintain and control my game." That continues to have coach Tim Floyd concerned. "If he can't get it to the rim, we're in trouble," he said. "He's got to be able to penetrate the basketball." TOUGH ENOUGH While the Hornets have spoken of stepping up their toughness, point guard Darrell Armstrong warned not to understate what the Heat has delivered to the series. "They trap you, they punch you, they push you. They do anything they can do," he said. "They just play very physical basketball. I think the referees get used to the way they play and you don't see too many fouls that get [called]." Copyright c 2004, South Florida Sun-Sentinel --

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