The Miami Heat failed to extend their mini two-game win streak Saturday afternoon against the Atlanta Hawks. They dropped this one 120-110, after some poor late-game execution and an underwhelming defensive effort throughout.
This loss has dropped Miami to a 15-14 record on the season, and down to the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference. The Hawks capitalized on the win by overlapping the Heat in the standings and pushing them back into the play-in picture. They have lost four of the last six games and continue to search for an identity.
Despite Jimmy Butler’s absence, this was a very winnable game. The Heat got within striking distance down the stretch until a 12-3 Hawks run closed it out. Tyler Herro was terrific once again, and did all he could to put his team in position to win. He was the only 18+ point scorer on the night and failed to receive much help offensively.
Herro’s 28 points, 10 assists and 7 rebounds near triple-double effort came on 8 of 15 shooting overall (53%). He also shot 4 of 7 from 3-point range.
After a quiet start, Duncan Robinson came alive in the second half and finished with 16 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists. Ultimately, the outside shooting woes held the Heat back. They got great looks, but shot just 32% on 13 of 41 overall from deep.
The Hawks on the other hand, were scorching with their shooting. They went for 51% from the field and 41% from 3-point range, despite a rough night from Trae Young. The star point guard had just 11 points on 3 of 15 shooting, but provided elite playmaking abilities with a game-high 15 assists.
After a solid bounce back stretch of games from Bam Adebayo, his shooting woes have returned. The big man struggled with his shot again, despite still putting together a 17 point, 10 rebound double-double.
Adebayo has received a lot of backlash on Twitter as of late, and this recent performance didn’t help his case. Of course, he remains a crucial part to what the Heat are trying to accomplish as a franchise pillar and anchor. His defensive impact and versatility still remain elite, but his offensive regression in a season that should have been his career year has caused for concern.
Miami has their second game of a road back-to-back against the Houston Rockets tomorrow night. They are in need of another bounce back outing, but will have to do so without Butler again. He is expected to return to the lineup for the team’s January 1 New Years Day game.
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I only watched last 8 minutes. Not impressed.
Bam is a great player, but he cant be the best player of the good team.
Bam looks like he has lost interest. For a guy who wants to be Defensive Player of the Year, he sure isn’t showing it. I think that half the team.is worried about getting traded. They sure are playing like they need to be. Herro and Burks only legit players today. This team needs a QB real bad. Everybody trying to create their own shots. Jaquez should either be prohibited from sho oting 3’s or benched until he can hit a decent percentage. Jimmy needs to be traded yesterday and Miami needs to rebuild. Spo should play Stevens and Johnson. What does team have to lose. The bottom half of the East is so bad, Heat probably a play-in team any way you cut it. Ware should start next to Bam. Heat has put all their attention on building a small ball team and has no depth at PF or C. Highsmith is not a PF. Jovic isn’t tough enough, maybe for Euro-ball but not for NBA. Houston next. Should be very revealing. No Butler again. Conditioning…my ass?
when dunc gets 38 minutes and kelel ware gets only 10 something is wrong.why cant this coach play ware and bam together give it a try for 20 games what the f u have to lose.overall talent level if used properly with an addition can compete for a champ.i hope by playoffs ware and bam are playing together if not we are not doing squat.doesnt spo see the mediocrity with this small ass team.with ware and bam in there totally changes the team,i dont want to hear the bs with spacing the advantages far outweigh the disadvanatges if there are any.a front line of jim bam ware is as good as any frontline in nba.pls name a better one besides boston and denver.
happy birthday,hfl .