Miami Heat Have Thrived At Adjustment Needed For Al Horford’s Return

After a Game 1 Miami Heat win that saw them defeat the Boston Celtics in the first bout of the NBA’s Eastern Conference Finals, there were many different opinions. One of the loudest out there was that this game wasn’t a true representation of what the series was to be.

Without Al Horford and Marcus Smart in the lineup for Boston, many said that the Miami Heat wouldn’t be able to play the same if they were there. That might not be the case for Game 2, as Al Horford is officially “available” to play, while Smart is “probable”.

How’s that impact the Miami Heat on both sides of the ball though? While a case can be made on both sides of the ball for Al Horford and his impact, something that will get its proper due in a second or so, Marcus Smart simply brings another stout defensive presence into play.

While some think that Jimmy Butler couldn’t do what he did in Game 1 against Smart, some do.

For what it’s worth, Jimmy G Buckets has done it all postseason long, and no matter who the defender was, though none were the reigning NBA DPOY either like Smart is.

There is that.

Miami Heat: They’ve Thrived At Adjustment Needed For Al Horford’s Return

However, that’s the biggest thing there, so the adjustment really isn’t an adjustment for him, as much as the extra action it might take to get someone to their spots or ideal matchup offensively for Miami.

And if that “someone” is Jimmy Butler, his size and strength should allow him to do just that, though converting does get a bit tougher with a defender like Smart on you. You have to be fair there.

In any event, that’s the game and the job for Jimmy butler. More crucial to the whole game planning of it all on both sides though is the return of Al Horford.

A floor-spacing big who absolutely impacts his team’s defense, what are the core Miami Heat adjustments needed?

First off, it won’t be much more than Game 1 from an offensive perspective on the Heat’s side, as dealing with Robert Williams was much more of a hassle than dealing with Horford should be on the defensive end—period.

Miami Heat: Bam Adebayo Is Truly The ‘Adjustment’ In Question

Robert Williams is not only a legit shot-blocking rim protector, one the best in the game, but he can close out to shooters rather swiftly when needed. On the offensive end is where you might need to look closer, as the Miami Heat won’t be able to pack that paint as they did, at times, in Game 1.

Horford can hit the three-ball, get it done off the bounce enough, and finish inside like a traditional big man. And that’s fine.

The Miami Heat, all regular season long, were the best team in the league at protecting their paint. They did so while Bam Adebayo, often, floated around along the perimeter when needed, only to get back to help protect the rim if he could.

That’s how they typically play it. So, while Horford would typically pull the opposing big away from the area where they are traditionally most effective on defense, Rudy Gobert, Deandre Ayton, or his own cohort in Williams, Bam Adebayo thrives anywhere on the floor defensively.

Horford is still a really good player and his outburst in Game 4 against the Milwaukee Bucks proves it.  But, the Miami Heat won’t be facing anything in his return that they aren’t built to face, haven’t faced all year long up until this point, and can’t overcome in this Game 2 of the 2022 NBA Eastern Conference Finals.