Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra is considering starting Mike Miller in Game 4 of the NBA Finals after his impressive shooting performance in Game 3. Miller has gone 10-for-11 shooting from the outside during the Finals and is shooting 50 percent for the entire postseason.
Miller started 17 games this season, most of which came while Dwyane Wade and others battled injuries. The Heat were 13-4 in games in which Miller started.
The only postseason game in which Miller was part of the starting lineup was Game 4 of Miami's series with the Milwaukee Bucks. The Heat won by 11 points.
If Spoelstra elects to make the change, Miller will likely replace Udonis Haslem in the starting-5 in order to spread the floor and give the team another shooting option. The Spurs defense has successfully packed the paint during the series' first three games, which has contributed to LeBron James and Wade's scoring troubles.
The projected starting lineup for Miami started twice together this season and averaged 107 points in winning efforts over the Chicago Bulls and Boston Celtics. They have shared the court for a total of 22 minutes in the playoffs and outscored their opponents by nine points in that time.
With Miller entering the lineup, James could possibly enter the game as the Heat's defensive center and would spend time guarding Tim Duncan. Haslem has played the strongest defense against Duncan during the finals, but has struggled offensively.
The Heat will attempt to see more shooting during Game 4 with whatever lineup they choose. That could also mean reduced playing time for backup point guard Norris Cole and an increase in time for Shane Battier.
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