Murray and Jokić played 40 minutes together in Game 2 and the Nuggets were +14 in those minutes (in a game they won by 15). The Nuggets stars ran 32 pick-and-rolls in Game 3, and those plays were the heart of both getting a 30+ point triple-double - the first teammates ever to have a 30+ point triple-double in any NBA game, ever. Which is what every team has tried to do all playoffs long with no success, but Game 3 was the peak of their two-man game. Getting that win means Miami finding some way to slow the Nikola Jokić and Jamal Murray two-man game.

Miami trails Denver 2-1 in the NBA Finals heading into Game 4, and while that game is not technically must win for the Heat, it is in practice. Through that prism, the Heat have a real growth opportunity Friday night.

“We share very similar thoughts about finding strength in adversity and using those as lessons to help you grow.” “We’ve been texting back and forth,” Spoelstra said. MIAMI - Throughout the Heat’s playoff run, Erik Spoelstra has been confiding in and getting encouragement from another Miami coach - and it’s not Pat Riley.ĭolphins’ coach Mike McDaniel and Spoelstra have become friends. He’d be more of a daring hire at this point, but he could perhaps unite the Rockets’ front office and coaching staff better than anyone. After a successful stint there, he moved to the bench in Houston. The biggest question is how his rapport with players would translate to the head chair, but that’s a concern for any assistant.įinch coached in Europe for more than a decade until the Rockets tabbed him to coach their D-League team. Maybe someone who learned offense from Don Nelson and defense from Steve Clifford and gets along well with players would make a good head coach. Between and after stints with his dad, Stephen has impressed at other stops around the league. Paul Silas even let Stephen serve as head coach for games during the 2011-12 season. Stephen Silas broke into NBA coaching on his dad’s staffs with the Hornets (turned Pelicans) and Cavaliers. From afar, it’s just tough to judge his contributions to a loaded coaching staff in Los Angeles. He mentored John Wall with the Wizards before joining the Clippers. An intelligent player, Cassell has successfully transitioned to coaching, though I’m not sure he’s ready for a top job. But the Rockets have the best job available, so they can probably aim a little higher.Ĭassell, like Smith, played for the Rockets. If he can explain this year’s troubles, he’d be a solid hire. Hornacek coached the Suns and looked pretty good doing so until this season, when he feuded with Markieff Morris, used too many strange lineups and saw the team quit on him. There could be 10-15 – perhaps even more – candidates interviewed in the process, league sources said. Houston owner Les Alexander and general manager Daryl Morey met with Bickerstaff on Monday, as well as Los Angeles Clippers assistant coach Sam Cassell and Houston assistant Chris Finch, league sources said.Ĭonversations with potential candidates are expected to include several prominent college coaches, sources said.Īmong the NBA candidates with whom the Rockets are working to set up interviews are former Phoenix Suns coach Jeff Hornacek and Charlotte Hornets assistant Stephen Silas, league sources said. Bickerstaff.Įxpect many more names in the Rockets’ coaching search. There are the big names: Jeff Van Gundy, David Blatt, Mike D’Antoni and Frank Vogel.Īnd there’s the eliminated name: J.B.

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