The Miami Heat started their playoff run on Sunday against the Atlanta Hawks with a dominant, 115-91, win. The game wasn’t close and the Heat controlled the tempo throughout the entire game by applying heavy pressure on Trae Young, forcing him to have his worst game of the season.
While they had an excellent game, it’s important to remember that this is a seven-game series, not a single-game elimination type situation. Adjustments are going to be made, so the Heat need to be ready to counter.
Just off the initial viewing, there are three keys that can help them secure Game 2 though. The first key is this.
Tyler Herro needs to be aggressive but in the correct way. He came into the first ball game trying to do too many things with the ball at once and that hasn’t been his game all season.
He had five turnovers, sloppy ones and everyone knows every possession in the playoffs matter. What has made Herro so deadly this season is how he gets to his spots to score and once he starts getting there, the floor opens up for the bigs and shooters.
Playing out of rhythm can impact players and we saw it on Sunday, as he made a few indecisive passes, missed short jumpers, and even blew layups.
However, It’s only the first game, so it’s not a major complaint but he does need to let the game come to him. The Hawks aren’t a very good defensive team so he should be able to adjust and be the true creator that we know he can be.
Miami Heat Playoffs: Three Game 1 Takeaways To Use In Game 2
The second key is to know when to be aggressive on defense. The Heat gave up 22 fouls and a good amount were called due to undisciplined gambles.
The Hawks were struggling to make shots and there would be possessions where they had nothing, also then having a bad closeout or late swipe, resulting in free throws. The first quarter ended with the Heat leading, 23-17, and 10 of those 17 were from the free-throw line.
The Hawks only made three shots and yet it was only a six-point game after the first. You can play physical defense, but you still have to be disciplined while doing so and that is what the Heat need to focus on.
Don’t get me wrong, the defense, from start to finish, was amazing, but there were some possessions that can leave everyone frustrated. For example, take this possession with P.J. Tucker on Trae Young.
Tucker had Young on Rikers Island and forced Young into a deep off-balanced floater, but he swiped and fouled him right at the last second. Plays like that can kill the rhythm for a defense and helps slow the game down for the opposing team.
Guarding Trae is hard, but when you get into foul trouble against him, it makes it even harder to guard him. It may seem like a nitpick, but you can always get better on defense.
They should keep playing their physical defense but shouldn’t gamble, trusting themselves.
Miami Heat Playoffs: They Dominated Game 1, But It’s Just That, One Game
The last key, more of a mental one.
It’s that they shouldn’t get caught up in the moment. Head Coach, Erik Spoelstra, is probably already delivering that message to the guys, but that will always be a key for every game.
The Heat shot 52 percent from the field and 18-38 from three. They couldn’t miss, but it could be the complete opposite on Tuesday.
It’s all about sticking to the game plan and being prepared to adapt to what you’re currently seeing. Every ball game is different and adjustments are huge for the playoffs.
The guys know that and it’s part of why they’ve had a successful season. They practice staying ready so they don’t have to get ready.
We’ll see if Miami can take care of business again on Tuesday, which should be a much more competitive game. Everyone expects Trae Young to not have a game similar to the one that the Miami Heat forced him into on Sunday, so the best thing for them to do is to expect that as well.