The Miami Heat have finished off a first round sweep of the Indiana Pacers. They now await a likely match-up with the Milwaukee Bucks in the second round. There hasn’t been a lot of talk of the Heat’s success during the regular season or since the NBA restart kicked off. For a group of guys more focused on the team and not individual accolades, being under the radar is just how they like it. Coach Erik Spoelstra is big on discipline and teamwork, and his guys take the court with that mindset.
Miami Heat Success Built on Discipline and Shooting
The foundation and culture of this franchise is embedded in the work Pat Riley and Coach Spoelstra have put in over the past decade. Hard work and unselfishness are the principles upon which the Heat’s success is built. Their sharp shooting from deep is what has helped propel them from playoff hopeful to Eastern Conference contender. Miami is second in the NBA in three-point shooting for the season, and have raised their percentages over the four game sweep of the Pacers. The Heat are also very good defensively, ranking the top 10 in opponents shooting percentage and points allowed.
Alpha
Jimmy Butler signed with Miami last off-season after a turbulent few years with the Minnesota Timberwolves and Philadelphia 76ers. His comment that winning mattered most to him was scoffed at after he signed, because no one expected the Heat’s success in 2020. He is getting the last laugh now, playing for a contending team, and finally in a spot where he feels comfortable. Butler has spoke in interviews this season about how much he loves the culture of this franchise. Hard work, discipline, and accountability are the things he wanted, so it’s been a perfect match. He gives this group an alpha player to take the pressure shots late. Butler is also an excellent defender and usually takes the challenge of guarding the opponents best perimeter scorer. He also averaged a career high six assists a game this year.
Shooter’s Gallery
The Miami Heat have three different players shooting 39% or higher from beyond the arc. Duncan Robinson, Tyler Herro, and Kelly Olynyk have all proven themselves as dangerous threats from deep. Robinson has secured a spot in the starting rotation in his second season, after spending most of his rookie year in the G-League. He knows his role is to shoot from deep, and he plays accordingly. Eight of the nine shots he takes per game are three pointers.
Herro has taken a step forward since the NBA restart. The rookie from Kentucky has double figures in each of his last 11 games, and averaged 16 point a night during the first round. He provides instant offense off the bench, and knows he has the green light from Coach Spoelstra. Olynyk gives this team added size off the bench, and has the ability to get white hot from three as well. He shot a career high 41% from deep this season.
Call the Vet
The biggest surprise since the restart is the performance of Goran Dragic. Rookie guard Kendrick Nunn has played in just five games in the bubble, missing time for various reasons. Dragic has made the most of his opportunity to regain the starting point guard spot. The veteran from Slovenia had 20 or more points in all four games against the Pacers. For the series he had a plus-minus of 42, and averaged five assists a contest. He is a proven player in this league, and has stepped up when his number has been called over the last few weeks. Dragic gives Miami another player besides Butler who can create offense in pressure moments. Fellow veterans Jae Crowder and Andre Iguodala have also contributed to the Heat’s success, adding experience and toughness to this young roster. The mix of youth and experience really balances out the roster for Coach Spoelstra.
Miami Heat Round Two Outlook
The Heat can confirm their next playoff opponent soon with the Bucks up 3-1 over the Orlando Magic currently. Getting past top seed Milwaukee will not be an easy task. They have a deep roster, with plenty of size and length, and of course the reigning MVP in Giannis Antetokounmpo. This Miami team has been the underdog all season and that just how they like it. Their combination of discipline, defense, and shooting will give them a chance.
The Miami Heat will need Butler to play at his usual All-Star level. They will probably need him to raise his game even higher. The Bucks are excellent defensively so Butler will need to be aggressive on offense. Also Bam Adebayo should play a major factor, especially on defense as he will likely get the match-up with Antetokounmpo. The third year pro from Kentucky took a big step forward on both ends of the court this season. He will need to continue that progression under the bright lights of the playoffs in order to help the Heat advance.
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