The Stretch 4: Two wins out of the break and another injury
After going tradeless at the deadline, the Miami Heat went 2-0 coming out of the All-Star break; however, they now have injury on their radar, just in time for another edition of the Stretch 4.
The Miami Heat are cruising.
Yes, the same team that at one point were 11-30.
The very one that once only had three available healthy players, coming off the bench.
Now 27-32, the men of South Beach are ninth in the Eastern Conference, fighting night-in and night-out for playoff contention. Something that considering how tightly packed the East is, should be more than attainable.
Having only resumed league play after 2017 NBA All-Star Weekend this past Thursday, one may ask what I could possibly even include in this column.
But not to worry, I always have plenty to say when it comes to the Heat.
Because after all, this year’s trade deadline recently just came and went. Not to mention Miami did come out victorious 108-90 against the Atlanta Hawks on Friday night, followed by an 113-95 win over the Indiana Pacers on Saturday evening.
So what are my hits and misses for this week?
First, there was president Pat Riley not having made a single move by the trade deadline.
If there is one thing to know about me in regards to the Heat, it’s that I stand by president Pat Riley.
No. Matter. What.
Riley to me is synonymous with the very definition of Miami Heat culture.
He is the boss of all bosses.
The Godfather.
#InRileyItrust
But that doesn’t mean that I always have to agree with him. A great example of this being I admit he probably made a mistake in prioritizing Hassan Whiteside’s contract over Dwyane Wade’s, this past summer.
However, when it comes to what he did (or rather didn’t do) at this year’s trade deadline? I’m in total accordance.
Look, Miami just went on a historical 13-0 winning streak. With a roster headlined by Whiteside and Goran Dragic, two top NBA dogs. Backed by a youth movement going strong, with guys like Tyler Johnson and Dion Waiters showing out on a consistent basis.
What trades did you really want the organization to make?
Sure, they could have moved fringe players like Luke Babbitt or Wayne Ellington. But considering the return value, such a deal would have been lateral, at best. And as for trying for a blockbuster trade? Think again. There was certainly no one out there worth giving up stars like Dragic or Whiteside for.
In other words, bow down to King Riley.
We should also talk about the team’s defeat over the Hawks.
Miami came out of the All-Star break, guns blazing.
After many of the guys stayed behind to work on their game during their mini-vacations, the Heat were ready to begin another winning streak.
Which of course, started by outplaying Atlanta.
(Except for Whiteside, who had an usual two-point performance… Guess he left his skills back in the Caribbean for the night?)
More specifically, out-shooting them from downtown.
On Friday, Miami ended up going 17-of-37 from three, with six guys having made at least two three-pointers.
Splash-city.
Tyler Johnson, who went 3-for-4 long-range, ended the evening with 23 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists and 1 steal in 16 minutes. And was sporting quite a nice tan, to boot.
Dragic too had himself both a solid game and tan, totaling 17 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 blocks in 29 minutes.
Welcome back, welcome back, welcome back (Mase voice).
Then there was the win over the Pacers.
On a back-to-back, no less.
During what felt like playoff-level competition, the Heat went to work.
Especially Whiteside, Dragic and Waiters.
Whiteside, who as I mentioned earlier had a tough first game back, ended Saturday night with 22 points and 17 rebounds in 36 minutes. Looking every bit as energized as ever. Being dominant on both ends of the floor. Even despite Mylers Turner trying to get the best of him.
As for Dragic, he recorded 21 points, 2 rebounds and 4 assists in 27 minutes, continuing to be the ever-reliable leader for Miami. His partner-in-crime also came in hot, Waiters totaling 22 points, 2 rebounds and 2 assists in 31 minutes.
(AND1.)
However perhaps the best part of the evening was when Rodney McGruder got Paul George ejected.
The self-proclaimed “pest,” is a defensive powerhouse Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Tom Thibodeau would be proud of.
While James Johnson calls him the team scavanger, Ellington refers to him as a pit bull.
But no matter what McGruder is to you, one thing is clear: Heat Nation is lucky to have him.
Because regardless of who he’s up against, “Rodney McGruder don’t care.”
And just like that, the Heat are 2-0 out of the break. Only 1.5 games behind the No. 8 Detroit Pistons. And a mere 3 behind No. 6 Indiana.
However, Willie Reed has just fallen victim to injury.
Just when we thought perhaps Miami’s injury woes were behind them…
The backup center went down during the fourth quarter of Saturday’s matchup against the Pacers, Reed needing to be carted off of the court.
(Yes, my heart stopped too.)
Upon seeing the replay, many were speculating the extent of the damage, throwing out ideas anywhere from calf cramps to a torn Achilles. Fortunately though, it turns out to be ankle bursitis, a condition that is certainly painful, but not necessarily as long-term. For now, he is ruled out for Monday’s game against the Dallas Mavericks.
The question now becomes, what do the Heat do?
Rely more heavily on Whiteside, switching to a smaller lineup on other rotations? Ask for another injury exception? Start dealing with the removal of Chris Bosh from the roster?
Really, it comes down to how long they expect Reed to be sidelined for.
While the result of the big man’s scans were good news, it’s always hard for a team to work around injury. Especially give how many this roster has already succumbed to.
Next: Hassan Whiteside anchors Miami Heat's blowout vs Pacers
Another week, another handful of Miami positives. We out here.