Constant lineup changes causing Miami Heat to struggle

Continuous changes in lineups are killing the Miami Heat.

It’s no secret that the Miami Heat lack consistency. But the irony is, it’s inconsistency outside of their control that’s causing them to struggle.

Specifically, constant changes in lineups.

Between numerous injuries and head coach Erik Spoelstra still toying with rotations, it’s been hard for guys to really get comfortable in one specific role. Instead, needing to get used to juggling multiple responsibilities, and competing alongside various teammates.

There have been some positives to come out of the continuous changes, like the emergence of the team’s Platinum Group. These second unit players have recently found their groove, outplaying the starters on several occasions, including almost rallying a comeback over the Philadelphia 76ers.

But generally speaking, the instability of Miami’s lineups have caused problems.

More from Heat News

• NBA 2K24 Ratings: Takeaways and reactions to Miami Heat player ratings
• Miami Heat’s Nikola Jovic gives entire world reason to love him
• 1 Advantage the Heat have over every Southeast Division team
• Three former first-round picks the Miami Heat should take a chance on
• Former NBA exec says Trail Blazers should take Heat’s Tyler Herro in Damian Lillard trade

Take when Hassan Whiteside missed 18 games, sidelined with a bruised knee. While the Heat certainly got some good wins under their belt, they were also victim to some questionable losses. Say when they fell short 110-104 to the Atlanta Hawks. Bam Adebayo may have finished the evening with 11 points and 10 rebounds, but Kelly Olynyk only came away with seven points and five rebounds.

Whiteside was once again missed on Saturday evening, when he was out with a stomach illness as Miami took on the Detroit Pistons. Goran Dragic came back to life, scoring 33 points. And James Johnson redeemed his recent blunders with 18 points, five rebounds and seven assists. But they still couldn’t get it done. The Heat were outplayed 111-107, with not enough size or power to hold things down.

But more than that, was the fact that Whiteside’s absence caused the need for yet another round of rotation tweaks.

Spoelstra was forced to start his 16th different starting lineup of 2017-18 (Adebayo, Dragic, Olynyk, Josh Richardson and Justise Winslow), a group who hadn’t once played a single minute together yet this season. In fact, Winslow hadn’t started since December 3, Adebayo since December 23 and Olynyk since January 10.

Not exactly an ideal recipe for success.

Miami, who had a chance to overtake the Cleveland Cavaliers’ third spot in the Eastern Conference, have now fallen to seventh, with a record of 29-24.

Next: Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo: Then, now and what's to come

It’s time for something within the Miami Heat to stabilize, before it’s too late.