Dion Waiters was once again spectacular as the Miami Heat have now won four straight, boasting a 21-4 record in their last 25 outings.
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.
Dion Waiters is certainly earning himself quite the reputation in South Florida these days.
Quickly becoming a fan favorite, Waiters once again left the AmericanAirlines Arena crowd satisfied, dropping 20 points and 5 assists on 6-of-10 shooting as the Heat blew out a Kyle Lowry-less Toronto Raptors squad, 104-89.
Up by as many as 25, Miami put the pedal to the metal early and did not relinquish the lead once, not even after Goran Dragic exited the game after taking an inadvertent elbow to the face.
Behind Waiters, Miami once again caught fire from beyond the arc, knocking down 11 total three-pointers as a team.
Waiters alone was 4-of-6 from that distance, leading the team in both makes and percentage (67 percent).
During Miami’s recent run, outside shooting has been vital to their success. Earlier in the year, the Heat were in the bottom half of the league in terms of three-point shooting, and since the beginning of February (before then, even), it has been one of their most deadly weapons.
Not known for his outside stroke upon entering the NBA back in 2012, Waiters is enjoying a career-year from beyond the arc, currently holding a steady 39 percent rate, which is on par with the likes of Stephen Curry and LeBron James.
Since the beginning of February, he’s actually out shot both, and it’s been quite marvelous to see.
Waiters has been on fire from outside since the start of February, and that's been essential to Miami's success. https://t.co/lMvTylRSNb
— Cory Sanning (@CorySanning) March 12, 2017
Not only does he boast career-highs in scoring (15.9) and distance shooting, Waiters boasts the highest assist-per-game average of his career (4.4) as well. Adding on another five last night, he’s proving on a night-in-night-out basis just how reliable he can be when focused and engaged.
It’s that very intensity that has Miami within a half of a game of overtaking the eighth seeded Milwaukee Bucks. Just three months ago, the Heat were 11-30 and statistically had a 0.03 percent chance of making the postseason.
On the verge of one of the great single-season turnarounds in NBA history, its games like this that give fans and players confidence for a crucial road showdown with Paul George and the Indiana Pacers.
Aside from the play of Dragic, Waiters has been the go to guy for the Heat in several games and situations.
With him on the floor against Toronto, Miami fared far better offensively, and the numbers back it up.
Points (Per 100 Possessions)
Waiters on court: 112.5
Waiters off court: 101.5
Field Goal Percentage (Per 100 Possessions)
On court: 54.8 percent
Off court: 40.0 percent
As the naked eye can see, the Heat were much more potent on the offensive end with Waiters on the floor, and for the majority of the second half, it was him running the show.
You didn’t think I forgot about the three-ball, did you?
Three Pointers Made (Per 100 Possessions)
On court: 14.1
Off court: 6.3
Three Point Percentage (Per 100 Possessions)
On court: 47.4 percent
Off court: 22.2 percent
The great equalizer, the Heat were able to capitalize on double the makes from that distance when Waiters was a part of the active lineup.
With just 16 games left in the regular season, Miami’s expectations are greater than merely snagging the eighth spot, and Waiters made that evidently clear following the game.
“We’re not just going for eighth,” Waiters said. “We’ve got bigger expectations than that.”
The spotlight now glaring right on them and the world starting to notice, the Heat have just stood taller and taller with each passing day, a testament to Erik Spoelstra and the coaching staff as well as the young core of players.
Next: Dion Waiters says he wants to re-sign with Heat
It’s also pretty easy when your current shooting guard is trying his best to mimic the one he replaced, as well.
Miami (32-34) will be in Indianapolis Sunday at Bankers Life Fieldhouse to take on the Pacers at 6:00 p.m. ET.