Game preview for the Miami Heat at the Charlotte Hornets.
Heat (12-8) @ Pacers (12-8)
Where: The Time Warner Cable Arena, Charlotte, NC
When: Friday, Dec. 11, 7:00 PM ET
Watch: FS-SUN, NBA League Pass
After two deflating losses versus playoff-caliber teams, the Miami Heat look to rebound versus the Indian Pacers.
This match up will be a good test for the Heat, who have struggled this year against top-tier teams. The Heat are currently 4-6 versus squads with winning records.
Luckily for the Heat, they may be catching the Pacers at the right time. Even though the Pacers are leading the league in points per game (104.3), they are currently on a three-game losing streak.
It may be early into the season, but with the parity in the Eastern Conference, every game is critical. There is only a 2 game spread between the first seed (Cleveland Cavaliers) and the eighth seed (Chicago Bulls).
The Heat are coming off of two disappointing loses to the Washington Wizards and Charlotte Hornets. The offense has looked stagnant, and their lack of shooting is starting to become a glaring weakness. The Heat are shooting 31.3 percent from long range, which ranks 28 among all 30 teams.
Matchup to Watch: Paul George vs Justise Winslow
This matchup is exciting to watch, but only on one side of the court. Winslow is still too raw offensively to really make any mark against Paul George, who is considered one of the best wing defenders in the league.
The reason to watch this matchup is to see how the Heat’s best perimeter defender fairs versus one of the best scorers in the East. So far this season, George is averaging 27.9 points per game, while shooting 44.8 percent on 3PT attempts.
Winslow has proven himself an extremely capable defender, but he’ll certainly have his hands full with George. If the Heat can’t contain George, it’s going to be a long night.
X-Factor: Monte Ellis
Monte Ellis was one of the bigger offseason signings, but he has been only a disappointment so far this season. Ellis has proven himself to be one of the better combo-guards in this league, offensively, but he’s had a hard time finding his groove in Indiana.
Ellis is only averaging 11.6 points per game this year, and he’s shooting 41.5 percent from the field. Even worse for the Pacers, Ellis has shown no signs of turning the corner. Over the last five games, he’s only averaging 8.4 points, and connecting at a clip of 14.3 percent on 3PT attempts.
Key Stats:
Miami Heat offensive efficiency: 17th, 101.3 points per 100 possessions
Miami Heat defensive efficiency: 2nd, 96.4 points per 100 possessions
Indiana Pacers offensive efficiency: 9th, 103.4 points allowed per 100 possessions
Indiana Pacers defensive efficiency: T-8th, 99.4 points allowed per 100 possessions