By Antonis Stroggylakis/ info@eurohoops.net
Goran Dragic doesn’t feel that there’s something peculiar behind the top-notch performances he has been putting on for the Miami Heat during the NBA bubble.
In his 12th season in the NBA, Dragic has been playing by far his best postseason basketball ever, averaging playoff career-highs 23.6 points plus 5.0 assists and being an instrumental figure behind the Heat’s 5-0 run so far, counting the sweep over the Indiana Pacers and Monday’s win over the Milwaukee Bucks.
“34 is just a number,” Dragic said in a zoom call after he the Heat took a 1-0 lead vs. the Bucks in the East semifinals. “I’ve always said that I feel great. I put in a lot of hard work. My teammates make me better. The coaching staff puts me in the right position. I feel great so like I said, 34 is just a number.”
Dragic helped lay the foundations for the Heat’s win by scoring 10 points in the second period as his team bounced back from a 40 – 29 hole at the end of the first quarter to catch up 63 – 60 at halftime. He completed the game with 27 points, six rebounds and five assists.
Game 2 is taking place on Wednesday (2/9) and Dragic is well aware that he and his teammates should be ready for a potentially powerful reaction by the Bucks.
“We’re really happy with the win but we know it’s not over,” Dragic said. “it’s just the first game. we need to focus and try to improve some things in the next games and we’ll see where the next games will go.”
While Dragic set the pace in the first half, Jimmy Butler proceeded to absolutely take over in the second half, especially down the stretch. After finishing with a playoff career-high 40 points, Butler described Dragic as an inspiring leadership figure within the team.
“Goran’s won at a very high level before,” Butler said on Dragic, a reference to the 2017 European Championship the latter won with Slovenia. “He’s a proven winner. He’s a leader of this team and we need him to play like that. He understands that. I follow his lead, Bam follows his lead. We got a group on my team full of leaders. Any given night that can be anybody.”
“One thing he always does, he plays hard in every single possession. He never gives up on plays. And we follow suit,” Butler added. He and Dragic had worked in perfect tune once more to lead the Heat to victory.
“It’s improved tremendously,” Dragic said on his chemistry with Butler. “First of all, when Jimmy came to the Miami Heat you need to get to know each other. We are talking a lot. We found out we have a lot in common. He loves, soccer, I love soccer. After that, we just connected on the floor too. He’s one of the best teammates I ever had. ”
The Heat had last played a game on August 25 since they dispatched the Pacers quickly. That break – that was prolonged due to the NBA postponed matches following the Bucks’ historic boycott decision – had Dragic somewhat concerned over the Heat possibly losing the momentum they had been carrying from the first round.
“I was a little bit worried because we didn’t play a game for a week,” Dragic said. “Maybe you lose that game shape. We did practice but it’s not the same. My legs feel great and I feel awesome.”
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