4 notes from the Miami Heat’s Game 3 loss to the Toronto Raptors

Despite 38 points from Dwyane Wade, the Miami Heat trail the Toronto Raptors 2-1 in the series.

Despite an 18 point third quarter by Dwyane Wade, the rest of the Miami Heat offense couldn’t get it together in a pivotal Game 3 loss that turns homecourt advantage back to the Toronto Raptors. Erik Spoelstra and the gang will have until Game 4 on Monday to figure something out to right the ship.

Dwyane Wade scored 38 points on 13-of-25 shooting, including four of six from beyond the arc. He was as masterful as ever, but he can’t do it alone.

Hassan Whiteside injured his right knee in the first half after seemingly getting tangled up with Luol Deng while going up for a rebound. He immediately went to the locker room and did not return, despite the team announcing an X-ray was negative. He’ll undergo more tests tomorrow on the same right knee he injured in Game 1 of this series.

Toronto center Jonas Valancuinas also left the game and did not return after seemingly falling on Wade’s foot after going up for a block.

Here are some notes from the game:

1. Bad ball movement

Miami started the game with an alley oop to Whiteside. That was promising, but it didn’t last. The Heat had just 11 assists all game and even when Whiteside was in, they struggled to get it to him near the rim.

The Heat would move the ball here and there, trying to get a switch and a mismatch, but Toronto wouldn’t bite. They stopped switching things and stayed pat on their assignments. The result? Miami over dribbled and came up with empty passes during the beginning of possessions before ultimately throwing the ball into the post to either Wade or Joe Johnson. Not a good way to score points.

When the Heat are at their best, they are still developing plays from the post and guys are cutting off the ball for easy cuts. Josh McRoberts had a very nice cut and scored off a Johnson pass at one point, but that was rare. In the second half, when it was clear Whiteside wasn’t returning, Spoelstra ran some plays to get Dragic and Wade on the move off of ball screens. That worked early but the Heat got away from it. Miami needs to find a few things that work and stick with it, especially if Whiteside doesn’t return.

2. Udonis Haslem, my Captain

In the absence of Whiteside, Udonis Haslem got more playing time than he’s seen in the playoffs for quite a while, playing 22 minutes. He finished with eight points and seven rebounds, set good screens throughout and played with more energy than, frankly, I even knew he had left to give. It was an incredible effort from the guy who always leaves everything on the court (not to sound too much like Spo).

3. Josh Richardson over Goran Dragic

Goran Dragic, who had 12 points on five-of-14 shooting and five turnovers, came out of the game with five personal fouls with six minutes left and didn’t return until there were 16 seconds remaining. He struggled, sure, but he was also effective in getting to the basket.

I thought the Heat could’ve used his playmaking ability. It would have been one thing if Richardson was playing well, but he was 0-of-2 from the field. Not to mention that Kyle Lowry had already heated up, scoring 33 points in the game.

4. ENOUGH, ESPN

Okay I’ve had enough. I understood showing “Jurassic Park” aka the area outside Toronto’s arena where people who didn’t buy tickets stand to watch the game on a jumbo screen when the games were actually being played in Canada. I guess it’s a nice thing, even though it was still annoying to see them go back to it over the fans who ACTUALLY PAID FOR TICKETS JUST LIKE THE ANDERSONS.

But when they started showing Jurassic Puke during Heat HOME games?!

Hol’ me back, fam!

It’s sickening. And it’s why people subconsciously give Heat fans a bad rep (okay, maybe I’m giving ESPN too much credit). No respect. Jon Barry and Mark Jones literally said at one point that they were impressed with the Toronto fans for standing out there in 51 degree weather. FIFTY ONE DEGREES? BIG F’ING DEAL! Not quite Lambeau Field, if you ask me. You know what people in Miami have to deal with? This. Yep. Actual zombies. Cry me a river, Drake.

It’s dumb and it needs to stop.

Oh, and Jon Barry mistakenly said that Dwyane Wade had missed a three-pointer in 56 straight games for the second time in three games, and then was wrong about what he called a missed call against Haslem who drew a charge late in the fourth quarter. I said on the podcast that I don’t think the Heat have ever won a game with Barry in the booth and I’m proved right once again.

I’m over this. Thank God Monday’s Game 4 is on TNT.