The Miami Heat were unable able to get the help they needed from Milwaukee, Atlanta, or Brooklyn to move up in the standings on the final day of the NBA regular season as the Heat finished with a 46-36 record, 8th in the East. The year was completely up and down from numerous injuries, blown third and fourth quarter leads, losing streaks, to winning streaks, trade acquisitions making an impact, players improving from last season, and playing well to end the season. Thirty-seven different starting lineups this season is difficult for any coach to overcome but Erik Spoelstra continues to not let that be an excuse for wins or losses, “We have enough.”
Offense
Offensive averages this season/ranks:
PPG: 110.1 (26th)
FG%: 46.5 (T-20th)
3pt%: 37 (12th)
FT%: 81.8 (5th)
OREB: 9.3 (T-26th)
AST: 25.8 (18th)
TO: 12.7 (T-6th)
Off. Rat: 113.3 (21st)
PACE: 96.88 (29th)
EFG%: 53.8 (20th)
TS%: 57.8 (16th)
Clearly, their offense hasn't been their strongest side this season, but this is the second-best points per game total as a team in the last five years. With 37 different starting lineups it is hard to develop chemistry, continuity, and consistent flow within the offense but the best lineup this year for the Heat with the current roster. With over 100+ minutes played together, Herro-Butler-Martin-Jovic-Adebayo has an offensive rating of 115.9 and their defensive rating was at 114. That could be the lineup the Heat stay with as they finished their last four games of the season with as they went 3-1 averaging 113 PPG, 48.4% FG, 37.5% 3pt, and 84.8% FT.
Defense
Defensive averages this season/ranks:
Opp PPG: 108.4 (T-4th)
Opp FG%: 46.7 (10th)
Opp 3pt%: 35.3 (5th)
Opp FTA: 19.2 (3rd)
Opp TO: 13.7 (15th)
DREB: 33 (16th)
STL: 7.5 (15th)
BLK: 3.4 (30th)
Def. Rat: 111.5 (5th)
The anchor that Miami has leaned on all year long is their stifling defense led by Bam Adebayo. Miami’s switching, abilities to play the passing lanes, help side defense, man-to-man, and zone defense has been very helpful for their mid-level offensive play this season. A defensive lineup with the current roster with over 40 minutes played together that had success was Rozier-Robinson-Martin-Butler-Adebayo with a defensive rating of 105.3 but only had an offensive rating of 107.9 which you could see from time to time in the future.
The Play-In
It is not a bad thing to say that the Heat underachieved this season but Erik Spoelstra is still the best coach in the NBA come playoff time, Playoff Jimmy and the team will have to prove they still have yet to play their best basketball of the season as they get ready for a showdown with the Philadelphia 76ers for the first play-in game. The loser will face the winner of the 9-10 matchup between Atlanta and Chicago. How will this season end for Miami? We will soon find out!
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