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The Miami Heat’s Goran Dragic continues to impress

By Frank Urbina

Feb 27, 2017; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Wesley Matthews (23) and guard Yogi Ferrell (11) pressure Miami Heat guard Goran Dragic (7) during the second half at the American Airlines Center. The Mavericks defeated the Heat 96-89. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 27, 2017; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Wesley Matthews (23) and guard Yogi Ferrell (11) pressure Miami Heat guard Goran Dragic (7) during the second half at the American Airlines Center. The Mavericks defeated the Heat 96-89. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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Goran Dragic’s push for a spot on an All-NBA team continued against the Dallas Mavericks. The Miami Heat point guard was — again — the team’s best player.

Welcome to the Hot Hand, where after every Miami Heat game win or loss we recognize the player that best put his stamp on the game.

In what can only be described as a strange game, the Miami Heat fell to the Dallas Mavericks tonight by the final score of 96-89. Miami’s point total snapped a streak of 16 straight games with at least 100 points, which was a franchise-record.

Despite Miami’s overall struggles, Goran Dragic did his part (and then some). The Heat point guard scored 24 points on 10-for-21 shooting, to go with 5 rebounds, 6 assists and 3 steals. He also dropped in two three-pointers on five attempts, while leading the team in plus/minus with a plus-7.

Dragic was aggressive getting to the basket, found his teammates for easy looks, and had his shot falling fairly consistently. He also absolutely emasculated Mavs point guard Yogi Ferrell with this move in the third quarter.

That’ll hurt your feelings.

Unfortunately, it still wasn’t enough for the Heat, who dropped just the third game in their last 19 outings. Now, they return home to play host to the Philadelphia 76ers, who will be without rookie phenom Joel Embiid (knee).

If you remember the last time Miami and Philly played, they were also without Embiid, and Philadelphia won comfortably anyways. So the Heat (27-33) must find a way to get back in the win column and not let tonight’s outcome linger.

Game is on Wednesday Mar. 1, and it tips at 7:30 pm ET. Be sure to tune in.

Next: Should the Heat sign Jared Sullinger?

Notes

  • Tonight’s loss provided the perfect Hassan Whiteside case study. It beautifully encapsulated two things: Why he’s so frustrating, and why he deserved a max contract.
    • As usual, he got his numbers. Whiteside finished with 19 points, 19 rebounds and 1 block on the night. He was a still a minus-4 in his 38 minutes. The reason why? He was porous defensively, letting opponents finish at the rim almost at will. Dallas completed multiple alley-oops right over his head, too.
    • If you just looked at his stat line, you would assume he was dominant. If you actually watched the game, though, you would know he wasn’t. At least not dominant enough. And that’s the Whiteside Predicament. (Phrase coined by yours truly; if you see anyone else use it, tell them they owe me a nickel.)
  • Dion Waiters struggled with his shooting. He scored 12 points on 12 shot attempts and missed 3 of his 5 free-throws. With the game there for the taking, Waiters tried to be the hero, but it just wasn’t meant to be. The ball got stuck to one player far too often in the waning moments, and that’s why Miami lost.
  • Well, they also lost because they collectively couldn’t make free-throws, either. The Heat were an abysmal 6-of-13 from the stripe, while Dallas converted 21-of-23. That’s literally the difference in the game.
  • Seth Curry (the lesser of the Curry kindling) scored 29 points on 17 shot attempts. He made five threes, including the dagger from 30+ feet away. Happens, I guess.
  • Miami really missed Willie Reed tonight. They used Okaro White as their backup center, and the results were (predictably) disastrous. Hopefully Reed can get back soon.
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