The Miami Heat’s three best lineups of the 2017-18 season
By Rob Slater
Bam Adebayo, Kelly Olynyk, Josh Richardson, Tyler Johnson, Wayne Ellington
Minutes: 48
Offensive Rating: 128.1
Defensive Rating: 100.0
Net Rating: 28.1
True Shooting Percentage: 67.6
Three-Point Percentage: 45.9
The Heat has deployed this offense-heavy lineup in nine different games where they are 7-2, making it one of the most impactful to winning.
Yet again, the Heat are able to maximize their principle of surrounding versatile bigs with efficient shooting. Adebayo and Olynyk are a part of a lineup that shoots nearly 46 percent from 3 (second among qualifying lineups) and almost 55 percent from the field overall, making it no surprise this lineup appears in games where the Heat hold a 7-2 record.
The important aspect to this lineup is yet again the frontcout pairing of Adebayo and Olynyk, who are one of the Heat’s most effective duos almost 60 games into the season. In their 397 minutes together, the two have posted a 7.0 net rating.
It’s important to analyze the “why” here and also why Whiteside and James Johnson aren’t nearly as effective. For comparison, those two have played 441 minutes together, posting a -3.4 net rating.
Johnson is also far more effective with Adebayo and Olynyk.
Even though Adbeayo is just a rookie, his mobility and activity give the Heat a much needed offensive boost even if he isn’t scoring. The rookie is also coming along as a passer, particularly off the pick and roll. When that ability is accentuated by the shooting of Tyler Johnson, Richardson and Ellington, the Heat are a difficult offense to deal with.
Next: Miami Heat: The Dwyane Wade and Hassan Whiteside show
Now it’s time to see what Spoelstra has in mind, after the All-Star break.