After an ugly start to the season, the Miami Heat have turned things around. They started the season 0-4 but have gone 7-2 in their last nine games, including a four-game win streak that is still active. But how? What’s been the difference? Well, Klay Thompson. There’s a scary trend emerging – when Thompson shoots above 45% from three in a game, the Heat will probably win. If not, they’ll probably lose.
So far this season, Thompson has shot above 45% in six games. The Heat are 4-2 in those games. In the five games he’s shot worse than that, the Heat are 2-3. That may not seem like a huge difference, but it’s not nothing. The Heat need three-point floor spacing if they want to win games, and Thompson gives them that.
However, if Miami wants to win games deep into the playoffs this year, it needs to figure out how to win when the shots aren’t falling. At least, consistently.
The Heat are (somewhat) dependent on Klay Thompson's shot
When the Heat signed Thompson this summer, it was clear that he was going to have one job on this team: Make threes. Obviously, there are other things he needs to do, but his shooting is essential.
Without Thompson’s three-point spacing, the Heat would have a huge lack of shooters on the floor. They don’t have many guys who can make shots from distance, and none who can do it quite like Thompson.
Some other guys have stepped up from deep range. Pelle Larsson is shooting well. Same with guys like Davion Mitchell and Dru Smith. But Thompson’s blend of volume and efficiency is crucial.
He’s already 36 years old, but Thompson is still having to play heavy minutes for this Heat team. He’s playing 24.4 minutes per contest, which may not seem like a lot, but it’s a lot for him.
In fact, Miami is 3-0 in games Thompson plays at least 30 minutes. He’s just vital to everything they want to accomplish, especially on the offensive end of the court.
The Heat go as Giannis Antetokounmpo goes. And Bam Adebayo is right there alongside him. But Thompson’s three-point shot is one of the most important indicators of Heat success.
That’s fine, but Miami also has to figure out ways to win when he isn’t making shots. The Heat have to be able to thrive even when Thompson has an off night.
If not, things could get ugly deep into the season.
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