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Dion Waiters is the hero the Miami Heat need right now

By Frank Urbina

Mar 8, 2017; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat guard Dion Waiters (11) makes a three point basket over Charlotte Hornets forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (14) during the second half at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 8, 2017; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat guard Dion Waiters (11) makes a three point basket over Charlotte Hornets forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (14) during the second half at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dion Waiters kept his late-game magic going against the Charlotte Hornets, hitting big shots to secure an important win for the Miami Heat.

Welcome to the Hot Hand, where after every Miami Heat game win or loss we recognize the player who best put his stamp on the game.

Tonight’s matchup between the Miami Heat and Charlotte Hornets had a playoff intensity to it. With a tight score late in the fourth quarter and Miami struggling to put the game out of reach, it was Dion Waiters nailing contested shots, willing his team to a win. Because, of course it was.

Waiters finished with 24 points, 3 rebounds, 5 assists and just 2 turnovers. Oh, he also hit 5 of his 10 three-pointers. Three of those makes from deep came in the fourth quarter, and helped put the Hornets to bed.

That last three-pointer was particularly crazy. Waiters clearly lost control of the ball halfway up, regained it somehow and dropped in the shot, nothing but net.

Tonight marks the second straight outing Waiters has bailed Miami out of bad possessions late in games with his shooting. Probably shouldn’t make it into a habit, but at least he’s become a guy you can depend on with the shot clock winding down, and the offense stagnating.

It took the Heat a while to find their new tough shot maker with Dwyane Wade in Chicago, but it’s apparent now that it’s Waiters. And I am very much okay with that.

https://twitter.com/MiamiHEAT/status/839681385312956416

Miami (31-34) now gets a couple of days off to rest before hosting a dangerous Toronto Raptors team on Saturday. Game tips at 8 pm ET.

Next: Putting together the Heat's NBA draft board

Notes

  • Goran Dragic was excellent against the Hornets, scoring 20 points on 13 shots, to go with 10 assists and just 2 turnovers. He also went 9-for-9 from the foul line, while leading the team in plus/minus, with a plus-20.
  • Well, he was tied for the team-lead in plus/minus. Willie Reed was also a plus-20, but he did it in merely 13 minutes of action, which is just insane. Reed continues to be an important piece off Miami’s bench thanks to his efficiency, rebounding and defense. He’s due for a payday this offseason.
  • James Johnson also had a fine game, scoring 10 points, securing 6 rebounds and dishing out 5 assists. He also had a crucial block late against Cody Zeller, which helped the Heat preserve their lead.
  • Hornets All-Star point guard Kemba Walker absolutely killed Miami, as he is prone to do. Walker scored 33 points and nailed 5 threes. No matter how tightly defenders played him, he would still somehow find space to get off good looks. Kudos to him on a great performance.
  • The Heat attempted 41 three-pointers tonight. (It felt like we were watching a Houston Rockets game.) They converted on 17 of them, for a healthy 41.5 percent rate. Waiters led Miami with five bombs, but Luke Babbitt also chipped in nicely with four, Wayne Ellington with three.
  • Speaking of Babbitt, he’s been on a tear lately. Over his last five games, he’s shooting an obscene 59.1 percent from beyond-the-arc. His play warranted more time on the floor, so he was out there for 18 solid minutes tonight.
  • Subsequently, Okaro White was a DNP-Coach’s Decision. As a fellow Seminole, that hurt me. Come on, Spo. Show my guy some love.
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