Miami Heat Fast Break Scoring Must Improve To Maintain Top Seed

Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (22) drives in front of Dallas Mavericks forward Dorian Finney-Smith (10)(Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports)
Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (22) drives in front of Dallas Mavericks forward Dorian Finney-Smith (10)(Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports) /
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Caleb Martin #16 of the Miami Heat shoots the ball against Spencer Dinwiddie #26 of the Washington Wizards(Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images) /

Miami Heat: Fast Break Scoring Has Come From An Unlikely Source This Year

With Adebayo joining Butler and Tyler Herro as Miami leaders in fastbreak scores, the Heat have zero players who rank in the top-20 for this particular category (Butler is 28th). Nonetheless, the underlying issue is quite simple.

This is a team that lacks perimeter players who are consistently capable of running and finishing on fastbreak chances, while also having the speed and length to do so.

THE HEAT HAVE TRANSITION SCORING FROM THEIR STARTERS, BUT FROM THEIR RESERVES AS WELL.

It may sound ludicrous, but Miami’s most explosive transition threat in this season has been a player for whom they just converted from a two-Way to a standard contract. Caleb Martin has missed the last four games due to an Achilles issue, but when he’s been on the floor, the Heat have needed every moment of his immediate energy in the open court.

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That’s, of course, when he isn’t logging minutes at power forward.

With a bonus of thunderous transition dunks, some of which have seemed to be timely, Martin has played beyond his role in other categories but is certainly one of the better transition options on this roster.

You also shouldn’t subtract some of Miami’s other top reserves who can create highlights on the break as well. This includes Gabe Vincent and Max Strus.

That’s, even though they don’t necessarily carry those gnarly athletic traits in the way that Martin does.