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The Good, Bad and Miami Heat Culture: A small upswing?

By Lauren Gewirtz

MIAMI, FL - DECEMBER 04: Justise Winslow #20 of the Miami Heat looks on prior to the game against the Orlando Magic at American Airlines Arena on December 4, 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)
MIAMI, FL - DECEMBER 04: Justise Winslow #20 of the Miami Heat looks on prior to the game against the Orlando Magic at American Airlines Arena on December 4, 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) /
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NEW YORK, NY – NOVEMBER 14: Goran Dragic #7 of the Miami Heat in action in an NBA basketball game against the Brooklyn Nets on November 14, 2018 at Barclays Center in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. Miami won 120-107. 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 License agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice (Photo by Paul Bereswill/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – NOVEMBER 14: Goran Dragic #7 of the Miami Heat in action in an NBA basketball game against the Brooklyn Nets on November 14, 2018 at Barclays Center in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. Miami won 120-107. 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 License agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice (Photo by Paul Bereswill/Getty Images) /

The Bad

Injuries and inconsistencies

The Heat still have no consistency in lineups, as they are continuing to deal with injuries.

One of the most notable absences in the past two weeks has been Goran Dragic, who is averaging 15.9 points and 5.1 assists this season. Dragic played against the Phoenix Suns Friday, but then sat out Saturday.

He is expected to return soon, but having a player out who takes care of the ball and can be a difference maker offensively, only puts more of a strain on the team.

Besides the in-and-out injuries, Dion Waiters has yet to make his return this season. Once he does, that is going to shake up the team even more; not even necessarily in a bad way, but just adding to the ever-changing lineups that head coach Erik Spoelstra has to deal with.

One would think that with the Heat not making any big moves this offseason, there would be more cohesion on the floor because all of these players have been together for a season already.

However, unfortunately, that does not seem to be the case

With turnovers comes losses

The Heat are also continuing to struggle with turnovers this season. They are averaging 15.5 per game, the ninth-most in the league.

Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald wrote that wins and turnovers are closely related for the Heat, as one would expect.

"“Miami committed 12 turnovers Friday against the Suns and won. Miami committed 11 turnovers Saturday against the Clippers and won. That’s no coincidence, as the Heat is now 7-1 when finishing with 13 or fewer turnovers this season.”"

While things like injury are out of control for the Heat, turnovers are something that they have direct control over every single night. Limiting that number should be a major focus for the team moving forward, because regardless of who is on the floor, players have to take care of the ball.

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