Grading the Miami Heat a quarter through the season

By Simon Smith | Dec 7, 2016

Nov 1, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat guard Tyler Johnson (8) celebrates after making a three point basket against the Sacramento Kings during overtime at American Airlines Arena. The Miami Heat defeat the Sacramento Kings 108-96 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /

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Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports /

Tyler Johnson

Season numbers: 12.3 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 3.1 APG, 41.1 FG%, 35 3P%, 30.1 MPG, 20 GP

After a scorching start to the season, Johnson has slowed recently in both production and efficiency. Over the first five games of the season, Johnson posted 15.4 points on 52.8 percent shooting from the field and 50 percent from three. Contrast that to his last nine games where Johnson has produced 11.9 points per game on 35.3 from the field and 26.7 percent from three.

With the lack of a true backup point guard, Johnson has shown an improvement in his ball-handling. During a stretch last season when the Heat were without Dragic, Johnson struggled when given the primary ball-handler duties. This season, Johnson has twice finished games with seven assists and just one turnover. And aside from one game where he turned the ball over six times, Johnson has averaged just 0.85 turnovers per game. This is an exceptional return considering Johnson just over the 30 minutes per game

Without Waiters, Richardson and Winslow for the upcoming road trip, Johnson and the Heat will be hoping that he can replicate his early season hot streak.

Grade: B-

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