Another 3-1 week for the Miami Heat, including a three-game winning streak punctuated with a victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Christmas Day. This week we're focusing our attention on a rookie who continues to impress and two returnees who have helped this team immensely.
1️⃣ Merry Christmas, Jaime!
Thirty one points and 10 rebounds on 73.3% from the field to lead your team on Christmas Day? Not only is that unusual, but it's pretty much unheard of from a rookie - only five other rookies did it: Wilt Chamberlain, Oscar Robinson, Patrick Ewing and Walt Bellamy. But it was exactly what Jaime Jaquez Jr. gave the Heat on Monday night in Jimmy Butler's absence.
We keep getting out of words for what Jaquez is doing, yet we continue to talk about him. Because how can you not? He's showing consistency and evolution throughout the year that is not easy to find and has been the best rookie scorer of December.
Against the Sixers, Jaquez was unafraid of contact once again, embracing it as a way to get to the rim and find ways to score.
In the first clip he gets the ball deep from Kevin Love. Gives Morris a little dribble to his left to be able to turn right and finish with his best hand, away from his defender.
Then in transition, he decelerates quickly with Morris' momentum carrying him, gives him a behind the back move and attacks Bamba, pump faking before going up with contact from a 7-footer.
In the third clip, Jaquez attacks right and switches hands in order to set up his next move, as he spins using Kelly Oubre's body well to figure out where he is and win his position.
And in the last clip, the Heat notice a mismatch with Maxey on Jaquez, but Harris quickly switches with him. Jaquez catches, gets to a more comfortable position and attacks right. Stops on a dime, gives Harris a small pump fake to get him in the air and goes up with a little push shot.