The Miami Heat took an unfortunate 105-90 loss to the Orlando Magic last night, but there were still positives to come out of the game.
Tuesday night didn’t go so well for the Miami Heat.
Despite entering the matchup on a two-game winning streak, they took an 105-90 loss to the Orlando Magic at home, bringing their overall record to 9-14.
And while they’re only two games behind the No. 8 Charlotte Hornets, sitting tenth in an arguably depleted Eastern Conference, isn’t exactly ideal.
With that said, the season is young yet. And injuries are continuing to take a toll on the team, with both Goran Dragic and Dion Waiters still currently sidelined.
Plus, even in a defeat like last evening’s, there remain positives to take note of.
(Which should bring at least a glimmer of hope to the fanbase.)
The Swiss Army Knife
It hasn’t just been a strange 2018-19 so far for the Heat as a whole, but for certain individual players as well.
Take Justise Winslow for example, who despite averaging 9.4 points, 5.1 rebounds and 3.2 assists a game in 27.7 minutes of play this year, has been noticeably inconsistent.
After missing the first four contests of the season due to injury, it took a while for the fourth-year to once again find his footing. That wasn’t all necessarily his own doing either, with the rotations around him constantly changing.
However, it seems the Winslow that Heat Nation has grown to love, is slowly but surely making a return.
(Here’s hoping I didn’t just jinx that.)
Yesterday night, the 22-year-old totaled 14 points on 6-for-13 shooting from the field, alongside five rebounds, two assists and two blocks. It wasn’t even just the numbers he put up, but more so how he contributed to the game in those 32 minutes.
Offensively, he attacked the rim and sank in a few successful 3-pointers, while holding the likes of Mo Bamba and Aaron Gordon down on defense.
Winslow the rim protector. pic.twitter.com/lwnGBu3vT0
— Couper Moorhead (@CoupNBA) December 5, 2018
So it’s safe to say that Winslow’s versatility, is back.
Go Ahead Big Fella
Let’s quickly address the elephant in the room: yes Hassan Whiteside went back to the locker room before the game had officially ended, after not playing in the fourth quarter.
(And yes, I’m still Team Whiteside.)
But we’re not here to discuss that particular 7-footer. Instead, it’s time to shine the spotlight on Bam Adebayo.
The sophomore, who is averaging 7.5 points and 6.9 rebounds a matchup in 19.1 minutes a game, finished Tuesday’s loss with six points, seven rebounds, one assist, three blocks and one steal, in 23 minutes of play.
Perhaps not the most impressive stat-line on paper, but the energy he brought to the court was unparalleled.
Between his ability to swat blocks and successfully complete high-flying dunks… the 21-year-old was clearly making a case for becoming the future of the franchise.
And with only 23 contests under his belt this year, Miami should definitely expect even bigger things from Adebayo, moving forward.
What #OneLastDance?
Dwyane Wade might want to reconsider retiring at the end of this season, because he’s absolutely still deep in his bag.
(Excuse me while I proudly wear my I Feel Like Flash dad hat.)
The 36-year-old recorded 11 points in 22 minutes against the Magic, as well as four assists, averaging 15.1 points, 3.6 rebounds and 3.6 assists a game in 25.6 minutes, so far this year.
His efforts might not have been enough to rally the team towards a victory, but he certainly kept his teammates afloat as they tried to make a comeback.
And was still a joy to watch out there.
He even hit a milestone.
https://twitter.com/MiamiHEAT/status/1070142733908623360
16 seasons in the league, and Wade never stops finding ways to boss up.
The Miami Heat will take on the Phoenix Suns on Friday, December 7 at 9 PM ET.