The Miami Heat are winless through five preseason games.
Does that matter? No. The Cleveland Cavaliers didn’t record a single win in four preseason games last year; the Bucks went 0-5 in 2022-23; the Los Angeles Lakers went 0-6 in 2021-22.
The current iteration of the Heat aren’t those teams, and vice versa. The point is that preseason win-loss results ultimately don’t matter — though the process does, specifically from the team’s regular rotation players.
Miami is playing much faster this preseason. But there is one glaring flaw with the team’s offensive output — a big topic of conversation after it’s been a bottom-third unit each of the last three seasons.
It ranks DEAD last in a very important statistical category, which can’t carry over if this roster has any chance to have success come the regular season.
Heat are dead last in 3-point attempts per possession:
Through five preseason games, Miami is No. 34 in preseason 3-point attempts per possession, attempting just 21.2 per 75.
Yes, you read that correctly. They are behind the Hapoel Jersualem B.C., Guangzhou Loong-Lions, South East Melbourne Phoenix and Melbourne United — four international clubs who have played exhibitions — in threes attempted.
Miami also hasn’t done itself any favors efficiency-wise, knocking down 30.1 percent from deep (28th), including a ghastly 5-for-34 performance from beyond the arc against Atlanta.
It could be a complete aberration, but that’s less than ideal!
Kel’el Ware, a below-average shooter, leads the team in 3-point makes (8), with Norman Powell and Andrew Wiggins Nos. 2 and 3 with seven and four 3-point makes, respectively.
I don’t think the Heat’s spacing has been particularly good, nor has some of their shot selection. Miami will have to look more jelled if it’s going to consistently push pace at a high level. It’s doing a good job attacking, cutting and making quick decisions when it is forcing defenses to backpedal, but the results haven’t been super consistent through five games.
Let’s hope they’re getting these misses out now — because they will need far more makes at the onset of the regular season in Tyler Herro’s absense.
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good to see gabe having a good game with lakers theyve been far and few between 18 pts 1st qtr
few and far oops
There are more concerns. Injuries: The season hasn’t even started yet and we already have Tyler, Bam, Jovic, Rozier injured. It’s not ideal. Also, I am concerned about the lack of consistency. Every player had better games and worse games. But it doesn’t seem the team has found their identity yet. The absence of Herro in the beginning of the season doesn’t help. It is likely the team will look an play differently with and without Herro. And honestly I don’t know what to expect from any player and also from the team as a whole. I just hope that our play in the beginning of the regular season won’t look like the preseason.
I liked what I see in game no 1. (fast pace), if we talk about the team. The rest was bad.
Players which show something in least one game are Dru, Ware, Powell, JK and JJJ. The rest were bellow average or bad.
yes and no
yes…it always feels good to see your team win even if its just practice games
no…season is long lots of time to adjust but hopefully they figure it out after 20 games. specially the Bam-Ware fit
there’s buzz Tyler can play earlier than what was reported.
pre season means nada.takes about 25 games judge what this team prob is.i know theyre gonna defend better and not shoot the three as well.i think norm wig ware bam ty dav are all good nba players.its the bench im more concerned about.jovic jjj pelle dru achiuwa all wild cards.
Three point shooting is a real problem, not just a preseason one. And rebounding isn’t strong either. I agree the starters are decent, although no superstar, but the bench could be a concern.
bam ware should be enough precious can board..the heat gonna run more this year should make up for lack of 3pt shooting..jimmy didnt really like to run.when u have 5 guys on the floor that can defend you are going to be better.when ty comes back that narrative will change.mark my word that end of the game will make us a better team.norm wig bam should get 18 -20 pts anight.and play excellent d.ware needs to take the next step ehich he should.dav is the energy of the team and sets the tone.jimmy was that when he was here until he quit.i expect this to be davs team to run.we will be a competitive team and could win the se division.at trade deadline we need to find a ss type player thats either disgruntled or can opt out.gonna be fun listening to e reid crotty not as much.and watching rcs insightful posts pop up on my screen,gonna miss uncs d fingers wont be as busy this year.
Fair analysis, old man
Hey, can I get in on this lovefest? Very valid points heat.
watching cooper flagg is he the next larry bird