The Miami Heat may have had their ups and downs so far this season, but when it comes to clutch situations, they know what they’re doing.
Following the Miami Heat’s nail-biting overtime victory over the New York Knicks on Friday, the Heat’s Couper Moorhead tweeted out a noteworthy stat about the team’s clutchness.
Heat are now 15-7 in clutch games, the second-most clutch wins in the league trailing only Boston (18).
— Couper Moorhead (@CoupNBA) January 6, 2018
Miami’s now 16 victories in clutch situations (score within five points with five minutes to go) rank them second in the NBA, in good company behind only the Boston Celtics. Their .696 win percentage in the clutch, adds even more noteworthy names to the mix, with the San Antonio Spurs (.750) and the Golden State Warriors (.714) in the top five.
With Dion Waiters out indefinitely, and Hassan Whiteside only five games back from missing 13 with a knee injury, that the Heat survive close games with two of their three leading scorers in rocky waters, is a testament to the cohesion among Miami’s players.
The biggest difference between Miami and others of the NBA’s clutch-leading teams is their unassuming nature. Since Dwyane Wade’s departure in 2016, the Heat have lacked a definitive option for clutch situations. Whereas the Cavaliers and Celtics can all but guarantee that LeBron James and Kyrie Irving will have the ball in their hands as the clock ticks down respectively, the Heat have opted for a more organic approach to closing out late games.
If Josh Richardson is in his rhythm, maybe the Heat defer to him. Or, if Whiteside is having his way in the post, running a play for a quick lob and slam could be Miami’s best option.
While fans still revel in the glory of Waiters’ pull-up-and-pose 3-ball against the Warriors last season, the ability for head coach Eric Spoelstra to cater to the hot hand and surprise defenses in the clutch, has been important for Miami’s success.
Additionally, not relying on a single player in game-winning situations has given the Heat the luxury of avoiding forcing bad shots at the buzzer. Consider the November matchup against the Washington Wizards.
Rather than make a risky move towards the hoop to extend their one-point lead to pressure the Wizards, the Heat wait for the foul as time winds down, sending James Johnson to the line who knocks in the pair.
However, against the Knicks last Friday, the Heat let the sharpshooting Wayne Ellington stay in the game late, threatening the shots from the perimeter, even though he took and made just one shot from beyond the arc.
Leaving scoring options on the floor but not overusing them, keeps the opposition guessing on defense, allowing for exploitable mistakes. Staying above .500 in the clutch is surely a net-positive for the any team, and seeing the Heat among the league’s best, definitely breeds confidence in the squad’s late-game heroics.
Next: Takeaways from the Miami Heat's closeout over the Utah Jazz
Banding together as a unit should continue to maintain Miami’s touch for winning in clutch situations.