Miami Heat: Though With Tons Of Size, It Doesn’t Mean The Little Guys Can’t Play
Altogether, you have to expect the unexpected with what Spoelstra will throw out there on Wednesday but most importantly, the Heat’s perimeter shooting simply becomes imperative in games where they have a potential disadvantage inside.
Duncan Robinson and Kyle Lowry, who are a combined 22 of 75 from beyond the arc in their last five games, will need to improve their outside efficiency as the floor would open tremendously for Miami’s offense.
Aside from the Cavalier’s strong production from their big men, they’ve also received adequate guard production, specifically from Darius Garland and Ricky Rubio. The pair inherited larger offensive loads as ball-handlers after Collin Sexton (led team in scoring with 24.3 points last year) was recently shut down for the season with a torn meniscus.
If the Heat can continue their journey to mismatch-hunt, such as forcing one of Cleveland’s big men to switch onto smaller guards and hopefully, lure them into foul trouble, they’ll find success if they can get the whistle on their side.
However, this also serves as vice versa for Miami, as they will need to avoid committing early fouls, being second in the NBA (20.4) in such areas themselves. The Heat swept last year’s regular-season series against the Cavaliers and on Wednesday, both teams will introduce a vastly different identity in their first of three meetings.
The Miami Heat haven’t lost to Cleveland since February 24th, 2020 and that trend should continue as Miami attempts to bounce back from a loss against Denver. To do so, they’ll have to stifle a young, yet very promising Cavaliers group.