Miami Heat: Though They Haven’t Been Excellent, They Have Enough To Improve
Above all else, the Heat are in the 75th percentile in fastbreak points (20th), which compounds Spoelstra’s strategy of sending multiple players to the defensive glass. As Spoelstra continues to lean toward the use of smaller lineups, the charge attempts should continue to increase, forcing dead-ball turnovers in lieu of igniting the break.
We’ve even seen some of his larger frontcourt talents, specifically Dewayne Dedmon and Omer Yurtseven, get involved in blitz Pick and Roll coverage in order to get ahead in transition.
This season, the Heat hold a record of 36-10 in games when they score 10 or more fastbreak points. They are 8-7 in games when they score fewer than 10 fastbreak points.
Currently, there are four Eastern Conference powerhouses who are in the top ten in Points Per Possession for transition scoring. That list includes Chicago, Philadelphia, Cleveland, and dare it to be said—the Miami Heat are in such company also.
THE HEAT’S OPEN-COURT OFFENSE WILL BE DIFFICULT TO MANAGE, BUT IT’S EXTREMELY DOABLE.
It’s for certain that each team’s transition opportunities will diminish in the postseason and the higher the playoff setting, the greater the overall attentiveness will be defensive.
It forces teams to be more vigilant in their halfcourt offense but for as elite of an effort the Heat will bring on the other end (if they simply replicate what’s been performed all year), they should still be capable of provoking fastbreak opportunities.
The only key, to which they are the ones holding it, will be to finish them.
It’s clear that if Miami wants to create separation before the regular season winds down, as well as to defeat their opponents in the postseason, they must find ways to extend their open-court offense.
This will revolve around hopes of their veterans staying healthy and the younger players fearlessly stepping into the moment. That moment is nearing closer and they’re one transition basket away from doing so, figuratively.
Count on it happening though. Well, because—it just has to.