MIAMI — Danny Granger seemed almost as frustrated
after the game as during.
Unable to get free against LeBron James' defense, Granger shot 1 of 10 and
scored seven points in the Pacers' 95-86 loss in Game 1 at AmericanAirlines
Arena on Sunday. It was the third lowest output of Granger's postseason
career and snapped a streak of 10 consecutive playoff games with at least 17.
Following the loss, Granger referred to himself as a "decoy" in the
game plan against the Heat, said the poor shooting night "really doesn't
bother me" and said he made it a point to meet with coach Frank Vogel
after the game to determine how best to get more involved.
"I think it's more so getting creative with ways to get me involved in the
offense," Granger said. "A lot of times they don't help off of me and
it opens up other things but I'm not getting a lot of shots.
"It's not really on me. I have to play in the system of the offense. I
can't just catch the ball and hoist up shots. I think it's on all of us ... the
coaching staff, myself. We've got to find a way to get me involved."
Granger was Indiana's leading scorer in the first round against Orlando,
averaging 21.4 points and scoring at least 21 in each of the last three games.
Though the Pacers have a share-the-wealth offense that does not depend on one
go-to player, Granger is clearly the team's biggest offensive threat and needs
to establish some presence within the offense.
During the regular season, he scored 25 points in Indiana's lone win against
Miami. In the other three games he totaled 28.
"We are going to have to get him better shots," Vogel said. "I
do not know if he is going to have a huge offensive series, especially when he
has to guard LeBron James for 38 minutes. That takes a lot out of your
offensive game."
Shut out in the first half, Granger made his first bucket in the third quarter — a 3-pointer that put Indiana ahead 55-52. It turned out to be his last, as
well. With Granger handcuffed, Indiana shot just 4 of 17 from the 3-point line.
Granger and shooting guard Paul George combined for 13 points on 2-of-15
shooting. Their Miami counterparts, James and Dwyane Wade, combined to score
61.
The game was tied at 70 entering the fourth quarter. James and Wade combined
for 22 in the period, including 20 in a row for Miami. Granger missed all four
of his shots, while George was empty on three tries.
"A lot of the misses were shots just trying to make something
happen," Granger said. "None of them were really in the offense, in
the flow of the game. A lot of times he (James) just didn't leave me. I'd stay
in one spot and D- (David) West would get an open shot or sometimes Roy (Hibbert)
would get something over the top because (James) just wasn't leaving me. If I
wouldn't have forced some, I would've taken three shots in the game and I
would've been 1 for 3.
"You don't want to start doing crazy stuff. I know I
can score. I know I will. It's just a matter of doing it within the rhythm of
the offense. If I just start hoisting bad shots, it's a chain reaction. I'll
make some, but I'll miss some, too. It's just a matter of trusting my teammates
and they'll get me more involved."
With James staying home on Granger, things did open up inside for West and
Hibbert, who combined for 34 points and 23 rebounds, each posting double-doubles.
With the status of Miami’s Chris Bosh uncertain for Game 2 because of a
strained lower abdominal muscle, the Heat very well could turn once again to
James and Wade to carry them. Unless Granger can make James work harder on
defense, the three-time MVP will be free to spend his energy on offense.
That's a problem that could lead to ultimate frustration for Granger and the
Pacers.
