The improvisational skills, calm-under-pressure, and fearlessness that made Goran Dragic the player Pat Riley had to have for his post-LeBron run to championship contention were discernible during the most critical play of Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals.
Dragic drove left, but had his drive cut off by Boston Celtics big man Daniel Theis. Dragic dribbled behind his back but lost control of the bounce. Skipping back so far, he recovered the ball a few feet behind the three-point line. Time on the shot clock wilting, Dragic squared up, pulled up, and made the net hum a sweet tune.
A two-point lead stretched to five. The Miami Heat moved within two wins of the NBA Finals.
“At that moment, I want a shot,” said Dragic, who has had his shot at playing meaningful games delayed for long enough.
Dragic had to wait for his prime to leave him, for his knee to betray him, for Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade to get…
