Miami Heat guard Duncan Robinson has struggled in the playoffs, especially against the Milwaukee Bucks. But there’s reason to be optimistic.
With the Miami Heat up 3-0 against the reigning MVP and the Milwaukee Bucks, it’s hard to look at the things that are going wrong. But this team can be so much better, they’ve proved it.
All-Stars Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo have been at the top of their game, that much isn’t in question. But players among their supporting cast haven’t been able to reproduce their level of play prior to the NBA’s restart, or just before this series against the Bucks.
Look at sharpshooter Duncan Robinson. Against Milwaukee, he’s averaging just 7.6 points on 30 percent shooting from behind the arc over three games. He’s made just six-of-20 attempts.
Robinson’s play in the Miami Heat’s first-round series sweep of the Indiana Pacers didn’t inspire much confidence either, but it’d be considered an improvement over his play versus Milwaukee.
The sharpshooter posted 12.5 points on a 44 percent shooting average from deep in four games. The percentage average is largely to credit to Robinson’s Game 2 performance. He finished with 24 points on seven-of-eight shooting from three, tying a Miami Heat playoff record.
Mind you, this is after finishing one of the league’s best regular-season campaigns from three-point territory. Robinson finished the 2019-2020 campaign averaging 13.5 points on a 45 percent shooting percentage nightly. He knocked down 270-of-606 attempts from deep.
While some fans may be having doubts about Robinson’s shot going forward. Don’t. There’s plenty of reason to be optimistic about the guard breaking his slump going forward, whether against the Milwaukee Bucks or their Conference Finals opponent.
In short, Robinson’s going up against the NBA’s best defense. Sure he’s done that before this season, but never in the playoffs, and never for (a minimum of) four games straight.
Robinson will find his rhythm. It may be that Milwaukee slacks off on him more and focuses on other shooters like Jae Crowder and Andre Iguodala in Game 4. Or maybe he just sets their defense ablaze with a three-point barrage that single-handedly sends them home.
But right now, the Miami Heat are winning. They’re undefeated in this playoffs. Duncan Robinson’s shooting (or lack thereof) doesn’t need to be a concern. It’s a good problem to have if nothing else.
Duncan Robinson and the Miami Heat will look to make it a second-round series sweep over the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 4 on Sunday. Tip-off is scheduled for 3:30 pm EST.