The Miami Heat came into Tuesday night’s game in Dallas knowing that they would be in for a tough task. They were to be without one of their core reserve guys in Max Strus, on their league-leading reserve unit that is, while they would also be facing off against one of the most devastating one-man forces that the league has to offer right now, Luka Doncic.
Though he would be without some of his comrades as well, Kristaps Porzingis and Maxi Kleber both sitting out with back injuries, the Dallas Mavericks team still had a ton of firepower. It showed right out of the gate too, as the Mavericks jumped on the Miami Heat team.
Getting out to a 17-7 run after a Tim Hardaway Jr. three-pointer, the Heat would take a timeout to refocus themselves and climb back in the game. That they did and they didn’t let up either.
Though they were only able to get back within six points at the end of the first period of play, they managed to close the half up by eight and heavily aided by a 46 point second quarter. Yes, the Miami Heat scored 46 points in a period and nearly got to 100 points by the end of the third quarter.
The Miami Heat have been offensively potent all season and it continued on Tuesday. Kyle Lowry, though, was especially potent again from range.
Though they would only need 25 more points than that to win the game, 125-110, they were still explosive and impressive on both ends of the floor Tuesday. While you knew they would be their same defensive selves, their three-point shooting, as a whole, had really alluded them until the Memphis game from Saturday.
It continued on Tuesday, as the Heat shot 13-25 from range for a 52 percent efficiency there. Even more impressive and though encouraging to see a struggling Duncan Robinson knock down both of his two attempts from range, it was Kyle Lowry that carried the Miami Heat from range with a 6-9 shooting performance there.
That’s the guy that you have wanted to see all season long now, struggling with his offense, overall, as the season got underway. It’s really simple.
If Lowry can regain this type of all-over and from any platform-type consistent shooting touch from range, the Miami Heat will be tough to beat by anyone. That’s in either conference, to be clear.
With all else they have at their disposal, everyone playing more free and aggressive because Lowry’s there as the quarterback to facilitate it all, adding Lowry’s offense and shooting touch makes it all completely lethal… for any team.
They have a day off, before facing a rival and internally-dealing Boston Celtics squad (Hey Marcus Smart). It should be nice to have a chance to add to their misery right now.