Miami Heat: 3 lineups to look forward to in 2018-19

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MIAMI, FL – APRIL 11: Justise Winslow #20 of the Miami Heat celebrates with Wayne Ellington #2 against the Toronto Raptors during the second half at American Airlines Arena on April 11, 2018 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

Shooter’s Paradise

Lineup: Justise Winslow, Rodney McGruder, Kelly Olynyk, Josh Richardson, Wayne Ellington

Notes: Played 47 minutes over three games. Scored 47 points on 46 percent from 3. 3-0 record.

“Pull Up ‘N Wreck” wasn’t just the name of a mildly catchy Big Sean and Metro Boomin’ track. It’d be the philosophy driving this very lineup.

This five is emblematic of Miami’s relationship with the triple.

The Heat were ninth in attempts per game last season, averaging a shade above 30 a night. Taken together and this group was responsible for about half of those shots and scored on a collective 38 percent (524-for-1359).

One of the hallmarks of the most recent championship teams – the Golden State Warriors and 2016 Cleveland Cavaliers (remember them?) – was their ability to field a multitude of shooters. Having a lineup that isn’t afraid to pull up 24 feet from the hoop, helps compromise defenses that have to respect each player’s willingness to heave.

Assuming the Winslow point guard experiment hasn’t been completely defunded, this group could find a deal of success on offense. Winslow is sizeable enough to matchup well regardless of his defender, capable of attacking the basket on undersized covers.

And, as an added bonus, uniting the catch-and-shoot tandem of Rodney McGruder and Wayne Ellington would continue to put opponents in the pressure chamber. In limited minutes last season, McGruder showed flashes of a future as a 3-point threat.

And if Ellington keeps sprinting around screens, this lineup could do some damage.

Defensively, that’s another story.

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