
Our Heat season companion part 13 picks up with the Miami Heat’s 127-120 win against the New York Knicks on Wednesday. The Heat improved to 40-34 with this win and are now tied with the Brooklyn Nets for the sixth seed. Let’s delve deeper into this crucial Heat victory.
Heat Season Companion Part 13: The Heat’s Offense Was Excellent
The Heat scored 127 points against the Knicks on Wednesday, shooting 57% from the field and 57% from three-point range. These percentages demonstrated that the Heat were scoring efficiently both inside and outside of the paint. The Knicks are 12th in opponent points per game this season, allowing about 113 points per game. The Heat exceeded that by nearly 15 points due to their excellent shooting, led by Jimmy Butler’s 35 points.
The Heat Only Had 10 Turnovers
Jimmy Butler, Gabe Vincent, and Tyler Herro led the way for the Heat in this game with their scoring. Butler had 35 points, Vincent had 19 points, and Herro had 22 points. However, another reason why the Heat were able to score so efficiently is that they committed only 10 turnovers in this game against the Knicks.
Excessive turnovers have been a problem for the Heat at times this season. However, turnovers were not an issue for the Heat against the Knicks. Bam Adebayo was the only Heat player with more than two turnovers, turning over the ball three times against the Knicks. Adebayo also had three assists, though.
The Heat will have to maintain this trend of low-turnover games in order to keep winning and avoid the play-in tournament this season.
Heat Season Companion Part 13: Lowry and Strus Did Well Off The Bench
Kyle Lowry and Max Strus both came off the bench in this game. Lowry had 14 points, four rebounds, and three assists. Meanwhile, Strus had 11 points and three steals. Lowry and Strus will need to continue contributing off the bench to help the Heat finish the regular season strongly.
The Heat Face The Nets Next in Vital Eastern Conference Showdown
The Heat host the Brooklyn Nets in Miami on Saturday. This matchup is crucial, since the Heat can get sole possession of sixth place in the East with a win against the Nets. The Nets don’t have a great road record and the Heat have a strong home record.
Additionally, the Nets are on a four-game losing streak while the Heat have won twice in a row. The Heat need to win this game. I would bet on a Heat victory against the Nets on Saturday.
Check back next week for more Miami Heat content.