Miami Heat’s mid-season transformation by the numbers

While the Heat have excelled as a team, the returns of some of their key players during this time have been exceptional.

Below are something of the notable statistical improvements.

Goran Dragic

First 41 games: 19 points per game (PPG), 45.4 field goal percentage (FG%), 39.7 three-point percentage (3P%), 102.6 offensive rating (ORTG), 108.7 defensive rating (DRTG)

Last 10 games: 22.6 PPG, 54.2 FG%, 54.1 3P%, 112.1 ORTG, 102.6 DRTG

Dion Waiters

First 41: 12.8 PPG, 13.6 field goal attempts per game (FGA), 36.7 FG%, 30.8 3P%, 98.6 ORTG, 103.6 DRTG

Last 10: 21.5 PPG, 16.2 FGA, 51.2 FG%, 53.7 3P%, 115.4 ORTG, 99.2 DRTG

Wayne Ellington

First 41: 10.8PPG, 40.9 FG%, 32.1 3P%, 104.4 ORTG, 112.7 DRTG

Last 10: 11.9 PPG, 42.7 FG%, 38.1 3P%, 106.5 ORTG, 92.8 DRTG

As can be seen, the Heat’s perimeter shooting has gone through the roof during this winning streak. Dragic and Waiters, in particular, have propelled the Heat to becoming the number one three-point shooting team over the past two and a half weeks.

Aside from his latest game in which produced 30 points and 20 rebounds, center Hassan Whiteside has not impacted the box score in the overall dominant manner in which we are accustomed.

Here’s how Whiteside’s numbers compare before and during this streak:

First 41: 17.5 PPG, 14.3 RPG, 13.3 FGA, 102.6 ORTG, 106.3 DRTG, 33.8 MPG

Last 10: 14.3 PPG, 12.6 RPG, 11.1 FGA, 110.3DRTG, 100.0 DRTG, 29.4 MPG

Furthermore, Whiteside’s touches per game have dropped from 45.8 to 42.3. In contrast, Dragic’s touches have risen from 84.3 to 90.0, Waiters 50.4 to 61.8, Ellington 28.6 to 34.9 and forward James Johnson from 52.3 to 61.0.

These numbers have been evident in the Heat’s recent play. Their ball movement has been more perimeter orientated, with the touches and passes of the team’s key perimeter players receiving a noticeable boost.