New faces, New Look, Same Result

The Miami Heat have some problems that need to be addressed. The team is now on a six-game losing streak - the longest active streak in the league - after coming up short against New York on Saturday. They were out-rebounded in the last two games by 17 and 15, getting completely bullied in the interior; teams were pulling Bam out of the paint, and it created opportunities for rim pressure. The team at large has been bad defending off-ball, allowing too many cuts to the rim. There has not been enough effort stepping into passing lanes and the perimeter defense is still atrocious, as the team allowed 51.2% from three against the  Grizzlies, Celtics and Knicks combined. 

The offense has not been up to league standards, either, as they have averaged a league-low 101.2 PPG over the six game skid. However, in the last three games since acquiring Terry Rozier, there has been a better assist to turnover ratio after really struggling with that in the three losses before Rozier was acquired. Miami has shot 23.2 free throw attempts per game this year, but in their last two matchups they only attempted 13 and 16 attempts, respectively. This is caused by not enough rim pressure offensively, settling for too many jump shots, and  being too reliant on their three point shooting to get them back in games; some extra passes could’ve been turned into more free throws or better shot attempts.

One aspect Miami saw a slight improvement in over the last week was converting their offensive fast break possessions; in New York, the team finished with a season-high 28 fast break points. However, Miami has to flat out be better on both ends of the floor; their engagement defensively, the offensive initiations, the weak side help, and the threat of a down-low presence are all aspects Miami needs to improve on as this season goes on. Whether it’s via trade, buyouts, or getting better as a unit from the top down, Miami has to give better effort.