Bulls one win away from Finals

Bulls-Heat
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Mashburn was just 2 for 7 in Game 3. He took only one inside shot, spinning into the lane for a layup.

So what happened in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals? Mashburn took seven shots -- five from 3-point range -- and scored a whopping five points during the Heat's 98-74 loss to the Chicago Bulls.

Miami needs Mashburn to contribute because the team's top scoring options, Tim Hardaway and Alonzo Mourning, have struggled.

"They're quick," Miami coach Pat Riley said of the Chicago defenders, "and they know what we like to do for our two key players. If they load up on both Zo and Tim, then we've got to get other people to step up."

Riley should adjust the game plan if he wants Mashburn to step up.

Mashburn was two for seven from the field and one for five from long range Saturday. He is shooting just 32 percent (11 for 34) for the series, thanks in large part to his 13-percent showing (two for 15) on 3-pointers.

Miami doesn't need another player to miss his 3-pointers. Hardaway (two for 17) is doing a great job of that. Besides, Chicago is putting big-time pressure on Miami's outside shooters.

Mashburn (24) is big enough to beat Pippen (33) in the post.

"Our plan was to get up on their shooters and not let them sit back and shoot the threes," Chicago's Scottie Pippen said. "That's a big part of their game."

Riley needs to send the 6-foot-8, 240-pound Mashburn to the blocks, where he can exploit a size advantage against the 6-foot-7, 210-pound Pippen.

Twice in Game 2, Mashburn posted up and hit a fadeaway jumper. On his only inside shot of Game 3, Mashburn started on the block and spun into the lane for a layup.

Perhaps those were the type of moves Mashburn used when he scored 50 points against Chicago on Nov. 12, 1994, when he played for Dallas.

On Saturday, the Bulls outscored Miami 50-26 in the paint. Mourning, an All-Star center, took only four shots.

"The Bulls aren't allowing Zo to catch it where he wants to catch it," Riley said.

Maybe that's a sign. Maybe Pat should let somebody else have a turn.