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Miami Heat: 3 hot factors going into the Atlanta Hawks game

By Trey Flynn

MIAMI, FL - NOVEMBER 27: Vince Carter #15 of the Atlanta Hawks talks with Dwyane Wade #3 of the Miami Heat after the game at American Airlines Arena on November 27, 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 - NOVEMBER 27: Vince Carter #15 of the Atlanta Hawks talks with Dwyane Wade #3 of the Miami Heat after the game at American Airlines Arena on November 27, 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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MIAMI, FL – JANUARY 4: Hassan Whiteside #21 of the Miami Heat speaks with the media after the game against the Washington Wizards on January 4, 2019 at American Airlines Arena 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL – JANUARY 4: Hassan Whiteside #21 of the Miami Heat speaks with the media after the game against the Washington Wizards on January 4, 2019 at American Airlines Arena 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images) /

No. 3 – Is Dewayne Dedmon better than Hassan Whiteside?

The Miami Heat have been treading basketball purgatory over the past few years since LeBron James’ absence, and the highest paid player that has had the most hope has been Hassan Whiteside.

Unfortunately, he’s let us down in every imaginable way. But for some reason, he has games like he did against the Wizards that make us go, “Oh yeah, he can be pretty good.”

In under 30 minutes against the Wiz, Whiteside went off for 21 points, 18 rebounds, 2 blocks, and shot 9-13 from the field. And while this was all against an unproven – although nice recent games – Thomas Bryant, Whiteside showed that he can be productive when restricted with his minutes and not allowing him to play “point Whiteside,” which can infuriate all Miami Heat fans to no end.

Whiteside will be going against a solid center in Dewayne Dedmon, who is proving that he has a tangible spot in this league. Arguably playing better than Whiteside over the past ten games.

In these past ten games, Dedmon is averaging 14.3 PPG and 8.8 TRB, with shooting splits of 54.1/56.3/76.2. Dedmon’s 56.3 percent from downtown is on 4.0 attempts per game, which is a higher mark than Trae Young.

Next. 3 reasons Heat won against the Wizards. dark

And if we’ve seen anything negative from Whiteside besides his lack of hustle at times, what stands out most is his lack of defense against perimeter bigs. If Dedmon outplays Whiteside in this game, you can expect flurries of trade demands coming from Heat fans and media, which somehow makes these two the spotlight of the game.

Tune in Sunday at 6 PM Eastern to watch the Heat try and get revenge against this young Hawks team.

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