Three observations from the Miami Heat’s 122-113 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday at Kaseya Center.
1. Dru Smith is doing the little things
When the Heat decided to keep Dru Smith on a two-way contract over summer league standouts like Isaiah Stevens, many fans wondered why the organization remained so committed to the 26-year-old guard.
Those within the organization consistently point to Smith’s ability to do the little – albeit important – things on the margins. In the fourth quarter, when the Heat were staving off a potential Cleveland comeback, Smith came up with two of the biggest rebounds of the game.
Because of Smith’s effort, the Heat used up 30 seconds of the clock and gave the ball back to the Cavs up 13. When coach Erik Spoelstra talks about “impacting winning,” this is what he means.
2. Duncan Robinson, defensive playmaker??
Miami’s defense locked in down the stretch. After Jimmy Butler’s layup pushed Miami’s lead to eight, the Cavaliers tried to answer but Duncan Robinson – DUNCAN ROBINSON – made the defensive play of the game.
There’s a genius to this. At first, it appears as though Robinson is simply following his man on a floppy-type action (flaring up to the 3-point line from the baseline). As Robinson sprints with Caris LeVert, Jarrett Allen is preparing to throw it over the top as LeVert cuts back to the basket. But Allen leaves the ball out and Robinson uncoils his 6-foot-7 frame, knocks the ball away and scores on the other end.
This might look like a gamble at first glance, but Allen forecasted the play. This is the equivalent of a defensive back reading the quarterback’s eyes. Robinson diagnosed the action and made a play.
3. The Heat’s big three
This might be my favorite offensive possession of the game. (Apologies for the camera angle. While we’re here, can we please make these illegal for broadcasts? Nobody likes this!)
Herro finds Butler rolling to the basket out of the pick-and-roll. Cleveland’s defense collapses and Butler passes out to Adebayo. Rather than hoist a 3-pointer, Adebayo tosses it to Herro and sets a screen on his man. With Cleveland’s defense in rotation because of Butler’s earlier penetration, Allen is late to close out and Herro rips off a wide-open 3-pointer.
This is Miami’s top three players working together, each one using what he does well to create something larger than the sum of its parts.
It’s not a coincidence that the Heat’s first three-game win streak has coincided with their three best players playing at a high level at the same time for the first time all season – and maybe longer.