Offensive struggles continue for Miami Heat in Golden State Warriors loss
By Cory Sanning
The Miami Heat fell short to the Golden State Warriors on Monday night, 97-80.
Without Dion Waiters for the second consecutive game, the Miami Heat failed to shoot 40 percent from the field, and left Oracle Arena with a 97-80 defeat at the hands of the Golden State Warriors.
James Johnson led the way for Miami with a season-high 21 points, to go with nine rebounds and six assists. Goran Dragic added 19 points and Wayne Ellington added 17 points off the bench.
After scoring 21 points and grabbing 17 rebounds against the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday, Hassan Whiteside was held to just three points and six rebounds, making just one of his nine field goal attempts in 16 minutes.
Despite Whiteside’s quiet night, head coach Erik Spoelstra offered praise for the big man following the game.
"“This is one game, he understands how important he is to our team to play at a high level, high energy level,” Spoelstra said. “So we’ll move on to Phoenix and look to have a much better game.”"
Kevin Durant had 21 points for Golden State, despite shooting 5-of-13 from the field.
Draymond Green had his best statistical game of the season, posting 18 points and nine rebounds. The Splash Brothers of Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson combined for 29 points on 10-of-34 shooting, but the Warriors defense was able to stifle a Heat offensive attack that has sputtered over the past week.
14 of 15 Warriors found themselves on the scoreboard when the final buzzer sounded, and the Heat dropped to two games below .500, as the 2017-18 season is now in full swing.
Miami was able to hold on through the first quarter, trading blows with the Warriors each step of the way. After one, Golden State’s lead was just 22-21, and the Heat had matched the Warriors’ attack every step. The Warriors shot just 29.2 percent in the first quarter, to Miami’s 38.1.
The Heat also committed seven of its 23 turnovers in the period.
That success would be short-lived, however, as Golden Start embarked on a 21-5 run to end the second period, taking a 50-37 lead into the intermission. Durant led the charge, scoring 10 points in the quarter. Including knocking down a jumper with just 2.9 seconds remaining in the second, as the Warriors continued their early-season resurgence.
The Warriors would outscore Miami 25-20 during the third, with Curry scoring nine points in the period, followed closely by James Johnson, who scored seven points during that stretch. Miami would go on to ourscore Golden State 23-22 in the fourth, but with the Warriors retaining control throughout, overcoming a double-digit deficit at Oracle Arena was not in the cards.
Whiteside was perhaps the biggest head-scratcher, getting pulled just 73 seconds into the second half.
"“It’s a coach’s decision,” Spoelstra said. “That’s what it really came down to"
When speaking to reporters in the locker room, Whiteside was visibly frustrated.
"“I guess he thought it was better if I didn’t come back in,” Whiteside said. “I don’t know. I really don’t know.”"
The Heat have now dropped two of their last three games, and are clearly missing Waiters on the offensive end. Only time will tell if these offensive woes can be fixed, but as of right now, Miami is reeling and is in desperate need of a signature victory.
Next: James Johnson is exactly what the Miami Heat need
The Heat (4-6) will travel south to Phoenix for a Thursday night matchup with the Suns. Tipoff is scheduled for 9 PM ET.