MIAMI -- A playoff series might as well be one big research project to Steve Clifford.
The Hornets coach has drawn high praise in NBA circles this season, his third in Charlotte, by piecing together a top-10 offense and defense without a star player. In-game adjustments and on-the-fly problem-solving in the regular season, it’s fair to say, he can do. But Clifford’s eyes lit up last week when discussing the opportunity to dive into the data and plot out the strategy necessary to best the Miami Heat four times over as many as 17 days.
“You get to sit and just watch,” Clifford said proudly, “and try to become more of an expert on what the other team does.