For the Miami Heat, Hassan Whiteside’s act could grow tired

Miami vs Orlando – 2nd Half

The Heat trailed by 60-57 at the half, despite trailing by as many as 14 points earlier in proceedings. Whiteside’s rebounding percentage was an even 30.0, which is more than acceptable. But most worrying was the work of backup Magic center Bismack Biyombo. Biyombo had seven rebounds in eight minutes of play. Most notably, Biyombo had a rebound rate of 53.8 percent, including 50.0 percent on the offensive end.

The third term was a positive for Whiteside and the Heat. The Heat won the quarter 30-27, and while Whiteside had just two points and two rebounds, the level of energy on display was a significant improvement. Most importantly, the Heat gave up just two offensive rebounds.

However, the back half of the final term was where things started to turn pear-shaped again.

This was another case of inattentiveness from Whiteside. As the ball swung across the lane, Whiteside’s man is now stationed on the weak side away from the action. A smile backdoor cut and pass results in an uncontested lay-up for Magic point guard Alfred Payton. A focused and zoomed in Whiteside would’ve at least contested the shot and made it more difficult for Payton to score. But like several occasions in the first half, this was not the case.

The following play is similar to the Jeff Green clip earlier.

Magic guard Evan Fournier drives baseline where he’s being harassed by the Heat’s Goran Dragic and Tyler Johnson. Fournier is stripped of the ball by Dragic, but is able to recover just under the basket. Whiteside is standing no more than two feet away as he retrieves the ball. He then performs an uncontested shot under the basket for the score. Once again, Whiteside is asleep at the wheel.

The following play in the dying stages of the game was really the icing on the cake for Whiteside’s night.

At the beginning of the possession, the Heat trail 108-105 with just 1:40 remaining. Despite staying back for the high pick and roll between Fournier and Vucevic, Whiteside simply watches on as Fournier drives by Tyler Johnson for the left-handed lay-up.

There was simply no effort or help again there from Whiteside. Despite the situation of the game, Whiteside was again nowhere to be seen. Worse still, he had just four fouls for the game. So at worst, he sends Fournier to the line. But as one of the most proficient shot blockers in the league, this play was just inexcusable.