The Giannis Antetokounmpo era for the Miami Heat may have gotten off on the wrong foot, but they don't have time to feel sorry for themselves. With the Detroit Pistons coming to town on Friday night, the Heat will need to find answers after a 25-point loss against the Minnesota Timberwolves. And fast.
With the exception of an individual dominant effort on the offensive end of the floor from Giannis, who finished with 35 points and six rebounds, there was little else that went right for the Heat in the opener.
The offense was unorganized and lacked flow; the defense was getting torched by the dynamic duo of Anthony Edwards and LaMelo Ball, and the rotations left much to be desired. In short, both Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra and Giannis echoed that Miami just didn't look like themselves against the Wolves.
“We didn’t look like us offensively.” - Erik Spoelstra
“We weren’t ourselves today. I think everybody in this locker room knows that.” - Giannis Antetokounmpo
The Heat have another big test with the Pistons on Friday night
But as the Heat fight to find answers after an underwhelming game one, they don't have much time to waste with one of the Eastern Conference favorites up next. And if nothing else, the Heat will get another crash course in where exactly they may fit in the hierarchy of the conference.
As the Heat struggled against the Wolves in their season opener, it was the Pistons that flexed their muscles and reasserted themselves as a conference contender in their first game of the year. After falling behind by 20-plus points against the Boston Celtics, the Pistons dug deep and pulled out an impressive come-from-behind signature win.
If the Heat is going to get back on track after their embarrassing opening-night loss, they're going to need to completely flip the script against Detroit. Because if the Heat come out lackadaisical against the Pistons, they'll certainly make you pay.
The Celtics messed around with a 20-point lead, and found that out first-hand.
So if the Heat indeed didn't play with an identity against the Wolves, they need to find one before they take the court against the Pistons. Another identity-less performance, and the Heat are going to find themselves in a 0-2 hole to begin the Giannis era.
Even though that wouldn't necessarily be the end of the world, the last thing the Heat needs is to find themselves is at a directionless 0-2 after how much hype and excitement surrounded this team just a few days ago.
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