3 Crucial stats that will determine if the Heat win or lose
By Wes Goldberg
Forcing turnovers
One of the biggest swing factors for the Heat during the Butler era has been forcing turnovers.
Few wings jump passing lanes and turn defense to offense as well as Butler. And, from Caleb Martin to Jaime Jaquez Jr. and even Tyler Herro, the Heat have doubled down on players who can do the same.
It’s a big part of the Heat’s winning formula. Get stops, create swing points, and give their halfcourt offense a break.
The Heat rank ninth in opponent turnover rate, forcing a turnover on 14.1% of their opponents’ possessions. But when they create turnovers better than a league-leading rate (15.4%), the Heat are 16-7. That’s a 57-win pace.
Fortunately, Miami’s next two games are against a Pistons team that ranks 28th in turnover rate. If the Heat can create turnovers and easy points in Detroit, they have a good chance of snapping this four-game losing streak over the weekend.
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