The Miami Heat maintained it’s steady offensive attack in Dwyane Wade’s return.
Some wondered if the Miami Heat, fresh off two wins in which they scored 114 and 115 points, would be able to maintain its new-found fast pace on offense when Dwyane Wade re-entered the lineup. Wade, who missed the last two games with knee soreness, is used to playing a slowed down version of basketball as of late.
However, against the Indiana Pacers (30-26) Monday night, the Heat (32-24) went at Dragic’s speed and were able to score 12 points in the final 5:33 to force overtime and beat Indiana.
It started, with the Heat down 80-76, with Justise Winslow making a driving layup. Since the All-Star break, Heat coach Erik Spoelstra’s been allowing its forwards to bring the ball up and it’s freed up guys like Winslow and Luol Deng to attack more often on offense. Dragic, hustling to get into the offense, tied the game at 80 with a pretty mid-range jumper.
With 3:44 left in the game, Winslow grabbed a rebound and took off down the court, eventually connecting with Deng under the rim for an easy layup. Later, down 87-84 with 30 seconds left, Deng grabbed a rebound off a missed George Hill jumper and passed it down the floor to Dragic, who found Winslow who drove home for the dunk.
Wade and Montae Ellis exchanged free throws to send the game to overtime, which the Heat dominated 13-5.
It goes to show that Miami can, indeed, play with pace. It just takes Dragic at the steering wheel and greater freedom allowed to its forwards–Winslow, Deng and Josh McRoberts–to push the ball down the floor.
Three stars
Dragic finished with 24 points on 10-of-17 shooting, eight rebounds and five assists.
Winslow came off the bench but ended up playing 40 minutes. He finished with 15 points, seven rebounds, four assists and four steals, not to mention a team-high plus-29.
In his new role off the bench, Hassan Whiteside had a double-double by halftime and finished with 19 points, 18 rebounds and six blocks in 41 minutes.
Highlights
"Pick n Oop!"
Up next
The Heat face a big test when they host the Golden State Warriors Wednesday.