Coming off of a Wednesday night win against the Charlotte Hornets, the Miami Heat’s key to success seems to be playing team basketball.
Team work makes the dream work?
Definitely the case for the Miami Heat.
As if their historic winning streak was not proof enough, their recent victory over the Charlotte Hornets should make it pretty clear.
Finishing 112-99 versus Charlotte, Miami was firing across all cylinders. Well, all available ones anyways.
With Udonis Haslem marked Do Not Play – Coach’s Decision and Justise Winslow, Josh McRoberts, Dion Waiters, Luke Babbitt and of course Chris Bosh out with injuries, the Heat had nine players available.
Something that some ball clubs might have found problematic, but that this organization was more than equipped to handle.
In a major way, to boot.
Miami finished Wednesday night shooting a franchise record 21-for-40 from three, with five guys reaching double-digit point totals.
And the only player to go scoreless was Willie Reed, who helped out on the other end of the floor with 3 rebounds and 2 blocks.
Goran Dragic led the way with an incredible 33 points, 1 rebound, 4 assists and 2 steals, while Hassan Whiteside had 13 points, 20 rebounds, 1 steal and 3 blocks.
But perhaps most impressive of all was James Johnson, who started in place of Babbitt, totaling 26 points, 4 rebounds, 3 rebounds and 2 steals.
"“I’ve played with these guys a lot,” Johnson explained in regards of his starting role. “I’ve been in that group with the same guys but deeper into the game. It was good starting with ’em and seeing what that felt like. It just changes it up for me a little bit.”"
However, what did not change was neither his effort nor his impact on the team.
While Dragic and Whiteside were expected to carry the Heat on a game-by-game basis as soon as the season began, Johnson’s future contribution to the team was a huge question mark. No one was sure how he would fair in South Beach or what his role would become.
Averaging 12.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.1 blocks and 1.0 steal a game on the year, it is now clear Johnson is a keeper. And what is better, is his ability to adapt.
"“It’s his willingness to accept whatever role,” head coach Erik Spoelstra said. “And we’re at the stage in the season, it’s go-time. We don’t have time to mess around. We’ve dealt with so many different starting lineups, different rotations. Guys understand and they’re able to step up and not look at you crazy.”"
He is not the only one that stepped up though.
Sophomore Josh Richardson also had himself a great night.
Having seemed to finally shake off the rust he accumulated while missing 18 games due to injury, Richardson recorded 19 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists and 1 block versus the Hornets. His best game since December 31.
With Miami being knocked down to ninth in the Eastern Conference going into Wednesday’s game, the team obviously knew what was at stake.
So they went to work.
Together.
As a unit.
Because after all, that is the foundation of Miami Heat Basketball.
That is why Dragic wanted to come play for the Heat in the first place. Why Whiteside re-signed to the team during free agency. Why Miami was able to bounce back even after losing Bosh and Dwyane Wade, on top of LeBron James a few years prior.
How 11-30 became 38-40. How Spoelstra is in Coach of the Year discussions. How the Heat are this close to making the playoffs.
Next: An elite Goran Dragic is vital for the Miami Heat's playoff push
One more time for the people in the back: team work makes the dream work.