The Miami Heat only shot twelve foul shots in last night’s game. They shot 56% from the field during the game, but a pattern has emerged for the Heat. The offense cannot keep up that shooting pace through the game. The team tries to keep the shooting productivity, but falters on defense. The opponent has a big third or fourth quarter and wins the game.
Golden State without Steph Curry is problematic
The Heat were able to beat Golden State, and the Warriors couldn’t compete. Apparently, Jonathan Kuminga is having troubles adjusting to the offense after the Jimmy Butler trade. Draymond Green summarized the whole night saying the Heat “played their championship.” While that is probably true, the team’s identity is centered around Steph Curry and that’s bad.
Heat hot shooting won’t continue
The Heat were ready to play on Tuesday. They have had games this season where they “shot the lights out.” Vincent Goodwill from Yahoo Sports commented on that and he was right. So, the true question will be if the Heat will shoot a good percentage when they host Atlanta on Thursday.
On Run-it-back podcasts and in my articles, I have charted the amount of time the Heat have gone to the line. Many offensive possessions, the Heat players were being “too cute” with the basketball. An example would be passing the ball to a teammate when a clear layup shot was available.
The players seemed to avoid contact. The one universal constant that Jimmy Butler brought to the Heat was his physicality on offense. That could be duplicated by other players. Not at the same intensity, but at the same frequency. Dwayne Wade also was a player that initiated contact.
Jimmy Butler’s return is “in the rearview mirror”
Jimmy Butler acted like a moody teenager in interviews before the game. He said it made no difference if the team had a tribute video. He said he might watch the video. During the game, the TNT sideline reporter commented Butler said, “Pat Riley better not have anything to say to him.”
Butler was introduced at the start of the game in his usual way by Heat announcer Michael Biamonte. There was a mixed reaction by the fans. When he had possession of the ball, he got booed. Jimmy scored eleven points and didn’t try to “play the heel.” My opinion is that it was weird coming back to Miami for Jimmy. It affected him in his play and no doubt his mood.
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