The Miami Heat Tipoff, Week Nine: Game 1 Struggle

The ninth edition of the Miami Heat Tip-Off, a weekly AllUCanHeat column, is here.

Well, that was ugly. 

Game 1 wasn’t the turnout Miami Heat fans expected. In fact, it was the complete opposite after a strong opening. 

A close first half was immediately squashed when the Philadelphia 76ers found their rhythm and completely embarrassed a fatigued and confused Heat team. It wasn’€™t pretty and the worst realization of it all was drowning the efficient lead we had.

Keeping a four-point lead after the half was plenty to ask for, after the predictions basked in a 76ers sweep right off the bat. Miami was answering the right calls, making defensive stops and limiting their star power to a modest sub-par game. That all quickly changed when they took the floor after the half. 

A quick 20-2 run destroyed the Heat’€™s opportunities at a Game 1 steal and their hopes quickly died as the clock ran out. They limited Ben Simmons‘ isolation game, but failed to cover the rest of the team, as shooters opened up and drained it from behind the arc all night long. A playoff career-high 14 assists were recorded by the ROY candidate and Philadelphia took advantage as they built a strong lead up until the end. 

Hassan Whiteside’s clear opportunity to dominate the paint with Joel Embiid out was missed, as he only recorded 2 points in 12 minutes of play. Kelly Olynyk was the scoring leader with 26-points for the night. 

Upcoming Games

Monday, April 16 versus the Philadelphia 76ers Game 2 (Away)

Thursday, April 19 versus the Philadelphia 76ers Game 3 (Home)

Saturday, April 21 versus the Philadelphia 76ers Game 4 (Home)

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Tonight, Miami needs to capitalize on the second game with Embiid out. Whiteside needs to be more aggressive early on, if they expect to steal a game on the road. 

This Week’€™s Preview

Tonight is costly for the Miami Heat. They need to limit Philadelphia’s shooters and fast.

The minute J.J. Reddick, Dario Saric, and Mario Belinelli were let loose, Miami’s downfall started. In their defense, they weren’t missing anything at all that night, but for this upcoming game, they need to pressure them more defensively. That all starts with limiting Simmons’ assists per game. That was the major issue that destroyed Miami. The game plan was set in motion to limit Simmons’ offensive game, but that should have meant all aspects of his game; not only scoring.

Even then they couldn’€™t handle it.

They also need more offense from Goran Dragic. Since Simmons demands attention defensively, Dragic demands attention offensively. He is Miami’s All-Star and the flow of offensive productivity will start there. Whiteside also needs to demand more attention in the post and free up his physical attributes. He looked scared, and playing for fouls in the last game. It’s the playoffs; he needs to play as if the officials aren’t going to call any foul and force in points in the paint.

By any means necessary.

The Heat had the formula in the first half on Saturday, and now need to figure out how to maintain it if they expect a win on the road tonight.

The result of tonight’s game will determine the pace for the rest of the series. Home games have been a major advantage for Miami in the regular season, but now it’€™s the playoffs; every game is now a crucial Game 7 for the Heat, if they expect to overcome the upset.

This Week’s Challenges

Can Whiteside overcome his sluggish Game 1? 

Can Dragic contribute more offense to spread out the floor?

Can the Heat limit Simmons’ offensive production?

Next: Miami Heat: Goran Dragic needs to find his offense in Game 2

Here’s to a better outcome in a crucial Game 2. It’€™s do or die now.