Over the past week we saw the Miami Heat make improvements in their meetings against the Orlando Magic, San Antonio Spurs, and Boston Celtics. The team stepped up offensively scoring 121 points against the Magic, it was their 9th time this season scoring 120+ points. They also had 50+ rebounds in all three games, being outrebounded was a major issue in January but they have really turned it around over their past ten games. The effort in the fast break against the Magic was great as well, the Heat racked up 27 fast break points in their 121-95 win.
Their meeting against the Spurs on the second night of a back-to-back is the second time Miami has seen them on this occasion this season. Miami won both meetings scoring 118 and 116 points against a Spurs team that allows the fifth most points to opponents (120.9). Tyler Herro had his prints all over that game going for 24 points, six rebounds, seven assists, on 10-15 shooting from the field and 4-7 from three. Jimmy Butler also pitched in a triple-double with 17 points, 11 rebounds, 11 assists, he was also completely engaged on the defensive end. In doing so, he collected three steals and record a block.
The Heat faced a series of unfortunate events in their most recent game against the Celtics. They were without Jimmy Butler due to a death in his family, lost Josh Richardson in the second quarter with a right shoulder injury, and Terry Rozier went down in the third quarter with a right knee injury, both helped off the court. Miami showed strong resilience against Boston despite all of these events, and responded to Boston’s runs with momentous runs of their own, especially after a scuffle between Duncan Robinson and Jaylen Brown. The Heat lost 110-106; however, the identity they played with this week up could be something they can take going forward to give themselves much needed success.
Jimmy Butler was granted a leave of absence and will be missing the next two games. We will see Butler back after the All-Star break.
Solid review