Thoughts & observations – a quick recap:
First Quarter:
- Andrew Wiggins is getting way more comfortable in the offense, he has become the clear #2 scorer.
- Miami plays a lot of catch up on defense, they seem to be a step slow.
- Bam has his touch back, why it took so long for it to come back is still a mystery.
- The three point shooting was much better than last game early on.
- Miami’s shot selection was much better (solid play from Mitchell and Ware)
- Heat kept Trae Young scoreless until the last two minutes of the first quarter.
- Highsmith returned to the rotation and brought a ton of energy.
- Heat took a one point lead into the second quarter.
Second quarter:
- Duncan found his way onto the board with a three to start the second.
- The lead alternated often, with over seven ties.
- Haywood was directly responsible for a 10-0 run finding Duncan and Jaime for some much needed buckets.
- Duncan was scoring on multiple levels, when he’s on, he’s a real weapon.
- Highsmith made the most of his return with three threes. Haywood is important to this team and should not have fallen out of the rotation
- Herro got extended rest, but was lights out from three point range. He also made good decisions going downhill on floaters.
- Hawks made a run towards the end of the half to tie things up going into the third.
Third Quarter:
- Ware has become a pillar of the offense and defense, it’s going to be great seeing him grow beyond the lobs.
- Bam was shooting well, but only really got involved in the offense in the third quarter.
- Atlanta fought well this quarter, making some tough looks to maintain their lead
- Mitchell plays with so much aggression, when his offense is going he’s a problem for opponents
- Highsmith set up so many second chance opportunities for the Heat – he’s a run generator.
- Because of Mitchell, Ware, Tyler and Duncan’s excellent shooting the Heat mounted a 14 point lead on a 20-6 run.
Fourth Quarter
- Davion Mitchell continued to increase his point total with great shooting
- It’s been clunky, but the Heat seems to have figured out the offense
- They can’t afford to ever sit Haywood again
- Everybody contributed tonight, even Bam was hitting threes.
- Atlanta fought back towards the end of the game, but with Herro and Bam hitting daggers Miami kept the game out of reach.
- Spo kept the starters in until the final whistle, a well deserved win.
***
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Good to see Duncyard Dog off the bench playing well.
HH was great, but he has been so erratic this season. I don’t think he miraculously turned the corner, but he definitely earned another minutes stint in the next game.
Nice win last night. We have to use our best players in the optimal ways, and be on in our three shooting, and we can beat other middling teams.
I agree with the writer, HH has to be part of the rotation.
Be careful about getting too irrationally exuberant over last night. We are still what we are, a play-in team. But, we are also still just two players away from contention. We got two nice players for Jimmy, two players who can be part of the new era. And we have about five others who can also be part of what we do going forward.
Just need two more, maybe thru the draft, or trade. It’s not that hard to envision.
All stars Dunc and Mitchell brought us home.
But I don’t like what I saw. The defence was terrible most of the game.
And there is still no steady bench rotation after Jovic went down.
These team is just teasing us of what they can really do. Also they just played toe to toe with those birdies then stepped on it ending the third towards all of the final qtr. Can they keep doing this? We’ll know next games
“There’s nothing wrong with getting knocked down, as long as you get right back up.”
~ Muhammad Ali ~
Davion Mitchell is helping create the flow, pace and calmness the team has been lacking since Dru Smith went down. A good point guard can bring the best out of everyone. For the first time in a long time, the team looked relaxed, under control and like they were really enjoying the game, rather than playing tentative and desperate basketball. They had a game plan and great passing/sharing of the basketball. They kept the pedal to the metal until the end. They closed the game out.
The Heat has 25 games left. 17 are at home, including 8 of their next 9 and 13 of their next 16. With a little luck, the team may gel and find their own pace, comfort zone and identity. If that happens and players start bringing out the best of each other, who knows what is possible. Hell, the Heat may even consistently play good basketball again. If that happens, it sure could get interesting by the time the play-in round arrives (and maybe in even when the playoffs roll around).
GO HEAT!!!
P.S. Heat had four players with 20 or more points, Herro 24, Robinson 24, Bam 20, Mitchell 20. In addition, Wiggins had 15, Highsmith 14 and Ware 12. Not bad.
25 games left…lets go 23-2 😁😜
If they go 20-5, they will finish one game higher than last year’s 46-36 injury filled season.
and the chances of that happening are what ind ny cleve minn 4 of next five games
It was a happy photo moment for me seeing Love along the lines cheering and rooting for these young players.
1 great game need more of these or something similar.thought mitchell hh and dunc off the bench were the difference.our bench this year and pg position has been terrible..if that changes in the final 25 games could see a 6th seed.
Funny enough, last night my thought was so much on Duncan’s game. How him and Herro played so well together early in the season. Why I have NOT seen so much of Duncan cutting and slashing or taking charges since the Kyrie trade. Hope he brings some of those back into his game. I saw a tiny bit of that slashing and cutting today from him this evening. Helped in moving the opponents defense, though Duncan’s shots did not come from those.
He shot very well today. Hope he keeps it going. I have not given up on him.
Mitchell has played so seamlessly with the rest of the team. You will think that he has been with the team for years. He has been a good addition. Don’t think that Tucker would have made as much difference as Mitchell has made. Good decision by who ever traded for Mitchell.
HH reminded everyone of what he is capable of doing, knocking down 3s.
Good game, especially the 4th quarter.
can we get kyrie back another bad pat trade lol