HEAT’S SHOT SELECTION SHAMBLES: Miami’s Clutch Struggles Continue Due to Awful Shot Choices
The Heaters shot selection when the game is on the line is terrible. The team tries to erase any deficit with three pointers. The shots are missed and the team’s psyche spirals. Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro commented after the game, “don’t let go of the rope.” This meant for the players not to give up on the goal of making the playoffs. Charlotte played very well in the fourth quarter.
The Hornets scored 32 points in the final period. To be honest, the Hornets wanted the victory more than the Heat. The Heat play well for three quarters. But, when the fourth quarter comes around, the players look around for a ghost (Jimmy Butler) to do the scoring.
Heat’s bad shot selection
The Heat were up 88-77 in the fourth. Not at the start of the fourth, with 6:47 remaining. The Hornets erased the deficit to 1 point in two minutes. LaMelo Ball hit a three-pointer, Malachi Flynn got fouled shooting a three, Mark Williams hit a floating jump shot, and Daquan Jeffries hit two foul shots.
The Heat fought off the Hornets until there was a minute remaining. Bridges hit a three to put Charlotte up 101-99. Tyler Herro took a contested three-pointer after a dribble handoff from Bam with 11 seconds on the shot clock. That is way too much time on the shot clock. As former color analyst Tony Fiorentino would say, “You only need a two-pointer (in that situation.)”
The entire possession was dedicated to Herro and Adebayo. None of the other players were involved in the play with cutting and movement. Then, when Adebayo missed the tip, only Duncan Robinson got back on defense with Herro, Wiggins and Adebayo trying to cover the inbound. This was a bad decision.
Herro and Bam tried too hard
The game charts on NBA.com shows that Tyler Herro and Bam tried too hard to win the game. Obviously, both players were gassed. Andrew Wiggins only took two shots. That is not enough. Herro was 3 of 7 and Adebayo was 1 of 5.
Duncan Robinson took four shots in the fourth quarter. The two players needed help and help was available but there was a miscommunication apparently. Another factor was that the Hornets went to the line 23 times during the game and shot 95.7%. The Heat went to the line 20 times but only eight times in the fourth quarter.
The Heat will “chase ghosts” again on Wednesday against the LA Clippers.
