The Miami Heat entered Wednesday night’s game off of an ugly win the previous night over the Detroit Pistons. Thinking that a win… like that… would propel them to play a more complete game on the following night, it wasn’t the case at all.
The Miami Heat actually showed up in the opening half. They started well, finishing the first half up eight and looking to be in control of the game.
Then… the second half happened. In both periods, the Miami Heat were outscored by eight or more points.
They wouldn’t be able to overcome their lack of urgency and ineptness. They would eventually lose the game 101-113.
It wasn’t just that they were defeated though, but much more than that. They were manhandled and showed a lack of discipline that you don’t expect from this bunch.
It’s not just the eye-test that says it though. Here are a few figures for the bean counters.
Miami Heat: No One Should Escape Criticism For T-Wolves Loss
To look at a few stats of merit, the Miami Heat came into the game averaging 14.7 turnovers per game. That’s not good, at all, but not the worst.
They would accumulate a total of 21 turnovers in the game. Even more disturbing, that was more than the Timberwolves’ 18, the second to last ranked team in the league at 16.2 per game.
Another stat of extreme disparity and a telling one, were the rebounding figures.
Outrebounded severely in the game, itself, they were mauled on the offensive glass.
They were dominated, overall on the boards, 52-40. The bloodbath on the offensive glass for Minnesota though, saw them them win that battle by 11, 15-4.
If they only convert on half of those close looks off an offensive board, that’s still 14 points. That, absolutely, can’t happen and especially when you are the fifth ranked Heat in rebounding, while they are the 15th ranked team there.
Miami Heat: Their Top Three Highest-Paid Guys Are The Main Ones Though
As far as specific guys, all of them that played could be mentioned. No one escapes criticism for this defeat.
The largest heaps of the criticism though, should go to the Miami Heat’s three highest-paid players. Kyle Lowry has to be smarter, fouling out with five and half minutes left in the game and with the Heat only down three.
They shouldn’t have ever been down to this team, but they were and Lowry has to be there to help his team sustain and overcome. Jimmy Butler has to be better about making sure he imposes himself on the game.
In the closing moments and when the Miami Heat were falling apart, he has to take over, get them into something, organized, and do whatever is necessary to bring it home. That’s his job, what he’s tasked, and paid to do.
Bam Adebayo has to continue be more aggressive and play stronger than he has been. He is showing it in spurts, but has to give it to you all game.
You also need him to be smarter on the offensive end of the ball. He has to realize and take advantage of his particular advantages on any given play, in any given game, and at any given moment.
He just has to. The Miami Heat need it to win a title and at this point, you can see where it’s having a real impact on them winning or not winning games.
If Bam isn’t playing, a bit soft, in the fourth and yes, it had to be said, they stand a better chance. No one escapes criticism for this defeat and that’s alright, it happens.
They need to throw this one away though and refocus. They face the Chicago Bulls on Saturday, another top team in the conference and league.