Defense is what could make the Miami Heat contenders
By Chase Eyrich
The Miami Heat’s defense could be the reason they make a playoff run this season.
The Miami Heat are not going to light up the scoreboard.
It’s been established that the Heat are not looking to run teams out of the arena while averaging just under 101 points per game. But, it’s not that the Heat don’t have scorers. Eight players on the Heat’s roster are averaging double digits this season. Part of where Miami is finding their success is through their depth.
Leading to even more success this year for the Heat though, is their identity on defense. And on the flip side, defense has normally been the reason for their losses too. Defense was what lacked in the last few minutes down the stretch in the most recent losses against the Chicago Bulls, Brooklyn Nets and Houston Rockets.
The defense at Houston was nothing less than proof that the Heat can be a contender in the playoffs. Yes, in the final few minutes Houston was able to knock down clutch shots and Miami wasn’t. In reality, Houston was playing at full strength. The Heat were without Goran Dragic and Tyler Johnson. Those two combine for over 29 points a game, that the Heat did not have available. And looking past their scoring outputs, having those two available on the defensive end could have been enough to beat the Rockets.
Still, the Heat were able to hold the Rockets to just 99 points. It was just the fourth time the Rockets were held to under 100 points this season. Despite being one of the best offenses in the league, the Heat’s defense also held the Rockets to just 44.4 percent shooting. That’s how the Heat want to play. They know the benefits to being defensive minded.
How they do it
Miami’s defense has been great with Hassan Whiteside back in the mix. The seven-footer is a nightmare in the paint, as he causes problems with his length. Averaging 1.9 blocks per game, he makes his opponents alter their shots.
As Whiteside takes care of business in the paint, the guards eliminate shots beyond the arc. Miami has the personnel to guard shooters. Staying on the 3-point line, a simple screen is not enough to expose the Heat. Players like Josh Richardson and Wayne Ellington, stepping up in the absence of Dragic and Johnson, have no problem switching on screens or getting through them.
Most impressive recently has been James Johnson. He has been able to keep up with quick and athletic guards, yet has the strength to win a battle in the paint. If there is one player who has the advantage on a switch, it’s him.
It’s all about the coaching
The Heat love to run teams off the perimeter. Why wouldn’t they when the league has gone to a shooters game? Head coach Erik Spoelstra has done a phenomenal job coaching to his personnel and not to a style of play. Forcing guards who love to shoot, to actually have to drive, ends up being a trap.
Funneling the offense down to Whiteside is exactly what the Heat want to do. He’s there in a prime position, no matter how he is attacked. If a small guard is cutting, he often allows you to get around him so he can track down the block from behind. You’re always taught to stay between your man and the basket, but Whiteside is the exception. He defends the pick-and-roll extremely well, keeping great spacing between the ball handler and the screener. His length obviously becomes a great factor in that equation.
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Sitting a half game back from the third spot in the Eastern Conference, Miami is slowly climbing the ranks. Their defense has set them up well and will continue to do so in the playoffs.