Tyler Herro scores 27 versus the Bucks and the Heat qualify for the knockout round in the NBA Cup. Norman Powell returned to the lineup and scored 11. Bam Adebayo scored 17 points. Kel’el Ware scored 11 points and secured nine rebounds. Miami won its group and advanced to the knockout rounds as one of the four teams from the East.
Key sequence in the game
The Heat were up 56-47 at the half. The Bucks tied the score at 68 under six minutes left in the quarter. They cut the lead to 81-77 into the fourth quarter. Then at 84-87, the Heat pulled away. They were up 100-88 when the Bucks went on an 15-6 run to get to 106-103 with :47 seconds left. Myles Turner and Gary Trent both missed three-point shot attempts and the game was over.
When will opposing teams figure out the Heat?
A Substack post, “Basketball Poetry,” Mike Shearer highlights the Heat’s new offense. It is blinding in its pace but because of its odd spacing, it will eventually be “figured out” by opposing defenses. The Memphis Grizzlies had a similar offense two seasons ago and had trouble scoring against elite teams.
He frames the issue perfectly with the phrase, “The Heat can’t just throw fastballs on offense, they’ll need an offspeed pitch at one point.” The saving grace for the Heat offensive game plan that will be different from Memphis is that the Heat are experts at half-court offense.
Another big man is needed
Heat beat writer Ira Winderman stated that the Heat need another big man. Myles Turner scored 24 points and 8 rebounds. He was four for six in the third quarter against the Heat’s “smallball lineup.” Nikola Jovic didn’t complete the mission when Bam Adebayo was injured. Vlad Goldin isn’t exactly ready yet to fill in for Jovic. Bottom line is that the Miami Heat compete and are vividly showing their front office and coaching staff are engaged in helping the team win.