Throughout the past week, we witnessed the Miami Heat play their worst basketball of the season. They took their first set of losses against their divisional foes and are on a 3-game losing streak. Over their past four games, they’ve been flat offensive end, averaging 44 points in the first half. In one of those games, we saw the Heat score 31 points in the first half against the Brooklyn Nets and a season-low (32.6%) from three against the Toronto Raptors.
Their offensive flow has disappeared from what we were watching less than a month ago. There’s less ball movement, no advantages on fast break opportunities being taken and failure to convert on their isolation possessions. One of the few bright spots in all of this has been Bam Adebayo, who has been their offensive anchor while racking up high assist games.
Other concerns that have risen for the Heat are their low assist and high turnover games. Over the past four games, not only are they averaging a season-low 22 assists per game but also had multiple games of over 16 turnovers.
The absence of Jaime Jaquez Jr. has been more apparent than ever. Jaquez Jr. can be trusted in isolation situations, perfectly timed cuts to the rim and back door cuts that help open the teams three-point shooters. Recent reports on Jaquez Jr.’s injury have mentioned that there is no timetable for return. With the new addition of Terry Rozier to the Heat’s roster, we will see if his production will help fill the void of Jaquez Jr.
Jaime is in dire need to come back!