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Hassan Whiteside showed every bit of his potential against the Timberwolves

By Frank Urbina

Mar 17, 2017; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside (21) dunks against Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) during the second half at American Airlines Arena. The Heat won 123-105. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 17, 2017; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside (21) dunks against Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) during the second half at American Airlines Arena. The Heat won 123-105. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /
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Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside had a masterful performance against the Minnesota Timberwolves, especially in the fourth quarter.

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

Every once in a while, Hassan Whiteside has one of those games. The type where he shows off why he’s such a tantalizing talent, with the ability to absolutely control both ends of the floor. If you think I’m being hyperbolic, I challenge you to re-watch the performance he just had against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Whiteside did everything.

He blocked shots (without taking unnecessary gambles), finished around the rim and even dished out some of his best passes of the season. On the night, the Miami Heat’s center had 23 points, 14 rebounds, 1 assist and 3 blocks. He missed one of his eleven shot attempts, helping him achieve a plus-17 plus/minus, the fourth-best mark on the team.

Most importantly, his defensive energy in the fourth quarter helped extend, and keep, Miami’s lead.

Ultimately, the Heat won the game 123-105. The victory gave them possession of a top-eight seed in the Eastern Conference.

Could the playoffs really be in the Miami’s future?

It’s certainly looking more and more likely. Once we get there, we’re going to need to see a whole lot more of this Whiteside. The one who can change a game at the flip of a switch.

Miami (34-35) now gets a day off before facing the explosive duo of CJ McCollum and Damian Lilliard on Sunday. The game tips at 6:00 pm ET from AmericanAirlines Arena.

Notes

  • All eyes will be on the Heat Twitter account tomorrow for an update on Dion Waiters. Late in the first half, he came down hard on his left ankle and had to be carried off the court.
    • After the game, head coach Erik Spoelstra said his injury was similar to the one he suffered a month ago. That means he could miss at least a week of action.
    • Miami has three games next week; if Waiters misses all of them, the Heat could apply for another hardship exception waiver.
    • Might it be time for Pat Riley to give Omri Casspi a call?
  • Tyler Johnson was incredible tonight.
    • The backup combo guard stuffed the stat sheet, scoring 23 points on 9-of-13 shooting, to go with 2 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals and 2 three-pointers. His true-shooting percentage was a robust 80.3 percent.
    • The Heat will need a lot more of that with Waiters set to miss some time.
  • Goran Dragic’s shooting was a little off tonight, and he still managed a 19 point/5 rebound/10 assist stat line. He also had 3 steals and made 4-of-5 from the foul line.
    • He’s good.
  • For those wondering what would happen if Miami’s three-point shooting went cold, tonight may be a good example.
    • The Heat finished with eight three-pointers on 30 attempts, which amounts to 30.8 percent.
    • They still scored 123 points.
    • Okay, then.
  • Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins are really freaking good. The duo combined for 57 points on 40 shots. Not much more to say but thank goodness we don’t have to face them again this season.
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