Miami comes into the week looking to protect their five-game winning streak which is currently the 4th best win streak in the league behind Philly, Minnesota, and Houston. The Heat were able to turn their 0-3 road record around after the Lakers came to South Beach, where the Heat secured a home win improving them to 3-1 at home on the year. They went on to visit Memphis, Atlanta, San Antonio where they came out victorious and looked like a completely different road team than we had seen in the first three road games. In their first road trip, Miami had struggled at key moments to score to secure wins, including getting completely blitzed against Minnesota. The Heat averaged 105 PPG during that stretch. Miami had a three-game home stand, then had to face their first challenge of the year which was overcoming adversity and winning on the road.
Miami was able to go the distance in their road matchups, they won all three games, averaging 114 PPG which gave the team clarity that they can score more than what their season average is. Miami currently sits at 25th in scoring as a team, but also give up 9th fewest OPPG. With the Heat playing well defensively, the offense gets put under the microscope. You can pinpoint where they are missing something or where they can improve on from game to game. Miami over their win streak is averaging a little over 37% from the three point line and shooting their free throws exceptionally well at 88%.
Miami was able to get key contributions outside of Bam and Butler which is key considering the Heat are without Herro for a few weeks as he deals with his ankle injury. Josh Richardson has found himself in the offense over Miami’s last two games, playing much more confident, Duncan Robinson has stepped up and continues to show his improvement in his all around game. Jaime Jaquez Jr. has been great defensively, not just as a rookie, but also compared to the entire league. He currently leads the Heat in steals, and he has good flow to his offensive game when he is not rushing things. Haywood might not be shooting effectively from the three point line but he is taking on any defensive assignment and becoming an interchangeable defender which is great for this undersized Miami team.
Miami looks to finish this four game road trip in Charolette where LaMelo Ball is improving game by game putting 28 PPG over his last four games. Heat will need to slow him down as they look to extend their win streak. They will head home for a pit stop against the Nets, who beat the Heat two weeks ago in Miami due to a Heat collapse in the fourth quarter. Now that the teams have matched up, Brooklyn was without Claxton and his presence will be a difference maker for Miami, Bam will most likely take on the challenge where he will have to be more creative, decisive, and effective against Brooklyn’s defensive anchor. Miami will then go back on the road for five games, which will start against a underperforming Chicago team to finish the week. The Bulls will play scrappy, hard nosed defense, but if Miami can maneuver around that by swinging the ball around, playing fast paced in transition, and hit their perimeter shots, they can give themselves good position to win.
Miami looks like they have turned around their road woes but they still have to play six of their next seven games on the road. We will have a much better understanding of where this team will stand as the season progresses but with the way the Heat have been scoring and playing suffocating defense, they give themselves a great chance to continue their hot streak.
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