Heat win vs Hawks highlights importance of key rotation player

After a porous offensive outing Monday night at Atlanta against the Hawks, the Miami Heat responded in triumphant fashion and picked up a crucial 131-109 win in a rematch vs the Hawks Wednesday night at Kaseya Center. Yes, you read that correctly. The Miami Heat managed to score well over 100 points, and the most shocking part of it all is that Miami won the fourth quarter!

The Heat received major contributions from Tyler Herro, Duncan Robinson and Davion Mitchell who combined for 68 points and 15 made 3-pointers. But the unsung hero of the night was a player who has been in-and-out of the rotation as of late.

Erik Spoelstra needs to keep this player in the rotation.

Over the last four games, Haywood Highsmith received zero playing time with Erik Spoesltra beginning to shrink his rotation. But with the bench not providing the Heat with any spark during their losing streak, Spoelstra decided to play Highsmith, who sent a message that he should be in the rotation for the remainder of the season.

Not only did Highsmith show that he is one of the Heat's most reliable 3-point shooters this season by knocking down four 3-pointers, he also showed his relentlessness when it came to pursuing offensive rebounds and giving the Heat second chance opportunities.

Out of Highsmith's seven rebounds, four of those were offensive boards that led to positive results with the best example being the play below.

Given that the Heat are one of the worst offenses in the league, Highsmith's pursuit for extra possessions contributed to the Heat putting together one of their best offensive outings of the season. With Highsmith in the rotation, Spoesltra can run different defensive schemes when it comes to certain zones being played as Highsmith is often used at the top of the zone.

While a case can be made that the offense could be even more limited, the Heat's offense has been bad with or without Highsmith on the court, and it would be wise to play someone who is a proven defender and has shown can be a reliable shooter from beyond the arc.

"I can't claim that I'm making the right decisions, but basically everybody's had their opportunities and we are where we are," Spoesltra said. "He [Highsmith] earned all those minutes, I couldn't take him out of the game."

Spoelstra made the right decision to insert Highsmith back into the rotation. But now it's time to keep him in the rotation for the remainder of the year as Highsmith has shown he can contribute to winning basketball.