Miami Heat: What led Justise Winslow to the promise land?

Slotting in for the Miami Heat as starting point guard has done wonders for Justise Winslow’s confidence, and all signs point to his success being here to stay.

Justise Winslow and the Miami Heat’s rise to prominence shouldn’t have come when it did.

Near the start of a six game Western Conference road trip, the longest of its kind this season, Winslow took up point guard duties for the Heat. Without Goran Dragic to lead the team, Winslow was filling in as he did intermittently during the 2017-18 season.

His primary goal was to keep Miami’s offense flowing and its defense anchored. That was a tall order, especially against the then-16-8 Los Angeles Clippers.

Supersizing Winslow’s order that night was Tyler Johnson’s injury six minutes and 49 seconds into the first quarter. Left with only eight active players, Winslow was faced with the age old sports decision to “put up, or shut up.”

He picked the former.

On that temperate night in Southern California, Winslow played a season high 39 minutes, scored 21 points and dished out nine assists. He had a single turnover on the night.

His contributions continued two days later against the Los Angeles Lakers. A nationally televised game, Winslow shifted the Staples Center’s spotlights away from Dwyane Wade and LeBron James, and on to himself and his 28 points.

Despite the loss, Winslow had begun to play with the versatility expected of him. His consistent double-digit nights gave way to a level of confidence that has carried him through the new year.

"“Just from an individual growth standpoint it’s been the most on-court growth in these 15 days, Winslow told NBA.com’s Couper Moorhead. But there’s been other days where I’m having a bad game but it’s still growth. This is good growth. This is blooming and blossoming before people’s eyes. Definitely my best 15 days from an individual stretch, but we’re also winning. I’m pretty good with that.”"

That growth has manifested itself in Winslow’s shot chart.