This Miami Heat team has an incredibly high-powered offense. In giving Norman Powell an offensive structure to play within that accentuates his strengths and allows him to be featured, the Heat have granted Norman Powell a wish he's waited years for.
Over the last few seasons, Powell has enjoyed the kind of mid-career breakout that you don't see very often. After Paul George departed the Clippers, Norm really stepped up as a scorer and turned a lot of heads. Still, he didn't have a team around him or an offensive structure that really allowed his talent to be maximized.
Now, in Miami, he has just that. In his three and a half seasons in Los Angeles, Powell's Clippers only scored 140 or more points on 10 separate occasions. This season, the Heat have already reached that mark an astounding seven times.
This is a big departure from the Miami Heat teams of old. This squad is moving the ball and triggering scoring bursts that overwhelm opponents before defensive adjustments can settle in. Erik Spoelstra has given Powell freedom within the offense's structure, letting him hunt mismatches and attack closeouts without overthinking his role.
Norman Powell is playing the best basketball of his career
The supporting cast matters a lot, too. Miami still has a defensive backbone, but the roster around Powell is built to complement his scoring. Shooters move the ball around and keep defenses honest, and bigs set purposeful screens that create downhill advantages. Powell is no longer asked to bail out stagnant possessions late in the clock, he's being empowered to dictate actions.
It's remarkable Powell’s scoring hasn't come at the expense of efficiency, either. When Miami pushes the pace, he becomes a natural release valve that can turn a five point lead into a double digit gap in just a few quick possessions. Those routine momentum swings are something this Heat team lacked at times in previous seasons.
It's also clear that this team trusts Powell to do what he does best. Miami has historically been selective about who it gives offensive responsibility to, and Powell has clearly earned it. The Heat are comfortable letting him take the toughest perimeter shots and carry scoring loads when needed.
For Powell, this is what his breakout was always supposed to lead to. For the Heat, it's proof that the offense they've built is no fluke. It's their greatest advantage, and it's unlocking players who were previously boxed into smaller roles.