Then the Grizzlies once again displayed their strength. Although Faried didn't have Little Gasol's post-offense capabilities, he fully utilized his physical fitness and help-defense abilities to stubbornly hold down the Grizzlies' interior.
And during a help-defense, he cleanly blocked James just like in a regular-season game.
Of course, Faried had his shortcomings—lack of height and experience meant that his low-post defense wouldn't be very effective.
But the Heat's inside players didn't really have low-post offensive capabilities.
Bosh had some, but he reduced his weight to play outside in order to complement James, which also greatly diminished his low-post threat.
Joerger's move to have Hansen calm Faried was proving golden.
The Grizzlies once again got through that stretch.
Then, when the starters came back in the second quarter, Little Gasol, who had sat for almost half the period, got on the court and was whistled for his third foul within minutes.
