The Miami Heat struggled against Brooklyn, indicating a problem deeper than a no-call foul.
Everybody has off days and the Miami Heat are no different.
Applying concentrated pressure on both sides of the ball for 48 minutes happens once in a blue moon, like when Miami sheathed the Cleveland Cavaliers last week. Miami’s 47.4 percent from the floor was on par with their 45.6 percent average, yet they kept Cleveland on their heels all night.
Weaseling through the Cavaliers’ wafer-thin defense while sending a message to LeBron James and company with block after block, made the difference in Miami’s mindset all game long. They didn’t put Cleveland and its king on a pedestal. The Heat treated them like a run-of-the-mill YMCA team.
So, when a game with a team with absolutely nothing to play for, like the Brooklyn Nets, goes into overtime and ends in a loss, Miami’s play is subject to question. Hassan Whiteside is unhappy, Dwyane Wade thought he got fouled, but it boils down to a common denominator.
Miami plays down to their competition.
Worse Than The Worst
Think back to the Boston Celtics’ 16 game win-streak earlier this season. Kyrie Irving and the Celtics were on a high, trouncing anyone with unbridled indiscrimination. In the process, the Celtics ran through the San Antonio Spurs and Golden State Warriors in the same manner they handled the Nets, Atlanta Hawks and Dallas Mavericks.
Miami, faced with the pressure of becoming victim to a then-league record streak, played with a chippy resolve. Even though the stakes were as low as any game in mid-November, the narrative of doling out defeat carried the Heat to outscoring Boston in three quarters.
The same can be said of the January matchup against the Toronto Raptors. A down to the wire contest, Miami didn’t roll over and die before the unheralded kings of the East. They fought back.
Without a narrative however, Miami has a habit of slouching in winnable games.
It’s not enough that they are the only team to breach the 50-game mark in clutch games played. Despite having peak physical fitness, Miami struggles out of halftime, turning winnable contests into late-game long-hauls.
This problem is particularly worrisome entering the postseason. Nearly clutching a playoff berth, Miami is likely caught between seeing the Raptors and Celtics in the first round.
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Though Boston is without Irving for the near future, his absence makes a series with the Heat more volatile than playing the first place Raptors.
Sure, Miami has shown it can surpass coach Brad Stevens’ witty rotations, but how will they fair with Boston’s best player on the bench? Given Miami’s track record, underestimating the likes or Terry Rozier or Shane Larkin could lower their guard, and end in quick defeat.
Harsh as it sounds, this version of Miami lacks a benchmark for success. And no, the 2016-17 latter half of the season doesn’t count.
The 30-11 streak last year was fun, but it culminated in an ungratified ninth place finish and an early vacation. Moving forward, Miami needs firm goals that can be actualized with concentrated effort, not unlike their weekly weigh-ins and fitness routines.
Next: Miami Heat: Looking at the other side of Hassan Whiteside’s recent comments
Don’t write Miami off just yet, however. Wade and his 15 years of clutchness is still very much a factor. But with three games remaining against sub-.500 teams, Miami needs to hit their stride before the playoffs.