This is more of what I wanted to see. The Heat beat the Pacers 145-125 to pick up their second straight win and open NBA Cup play with a victory. The start was rough defensively, but Miami adjusted; the offense flowed, and you could see the vision for how this team can play.
Giannis led the way with 31 points, 17 rebounds, and 10 assists, committing just one turnover. But there was plenty to like around him, especially with Bam putting together another great game and Klay finding his shot.
1. Klay took what the defense gave him
Klay finished with 25 points and knocked down seven of his 12 threes, but I liked how he got himself going early. He wasn’t just throwing up threes. He took what Indiana gave him, especially in the midrange, and let his offense build from there.
Although he may not be at his peak anymore, teams are still going to respect his shooting and run him off the three-point line. He needs to capitalize on that. Take the available shot inside the arc instead of forcing a three just to get one up.
Tonight showed how much he can give this offense when he finds that balance. With the attention Giannis and Bam draw, Miami needs Klay making defenses pay.
2. Bam is getting into a rhythm
Bam followed up his strong performance against Atlanta with another great game: 27 points on 11/14 shooting, 9 rebounds, and 3 steals.
This is the rhythm I have wanted to see him find. Playing alongside Giannis brings an adjustment, and these last two games have been encouraging. Bam looks more comfortable finding his opportunities, and Miami is scoring efficiently from both of its bigs.
Bam and Giannis combined for 58 points on 24/32 shooting. That is a lot for a defense to deal with, especially when Klay is hitting shots around them.
3. Miami cleaned up its closeouts
The Heat were not doing a good enough job getting out to Indiana’s bigs early. Jay Huff and Larry Nance Jr. were getting too much space on the perimeter, and Miami needed to close out faster. Giving up 42 points in the first quarter was a rough start.
To their credit, they adjusted. After the first half, getting out to those bigs was much less of an issue.
I still want to see Miami sharper from the opening tip. You cannot consistently give teams that kind of start. But it was encouraging to see them recognize the problem and adjust.
4. The vision was there: defense turning into offense
Once Miami started getting stops, you could see how this team wants to play. The Heat could push the pace and attack before Indiana’s defense got set, with Giannis leading the break and Davion and Pelle getting downhill.
Miami finished with eight steals and 15 fast-break points. The Heat also scored 64 points in the paint and recorded 38 assists on 54 made baskets. The offense moved the ball, and multiple players contributed.
Davion finished with 15 points, six rebounds, and 11 assists, continuing to give Miami production as a playmaker. Pelle added 18 points without missing a shot from the field, going 5/5 and getting to the line for eight free throws.
That is the vision. Get stops, get out and run, and make the defense deal with more than just Giannis.
Next up: Lakers
Miami is now 1-0 in NBA Cup play, and the 20-point margin could matter with point differential serving as a tiebreaker in the group standings. I may not put much stock in the Cup itself, but this was an encouraging win and a chance to see this team start putting things together.
Next up is the Lakers on November 2. The Heat have a chance to make it three straight wins and keep building on the rhythm they have found over these last two games.
This is more of what I wanted to see. The Heat beat the Pacers 145-125 to pick up their second straight win and open NBA Cup play with a victory. The start was rough defensively, but Miami adjusted; the offense flowed, and you could see the vision for how this team can play.
Giannis led the way with 31 points, 17 rebounds, and 10 assists, committing just one turnover. But there was plenty to like around him, especially with Bam putting together another great game and Klay finding his shot.
1. Klay took what the defense gave him
Klay finished with 25 points and knocked down seven of his 12 threes, but I liked how he got himself going early. He wasn’t just throwing up threes. He took what Indiana gave him, especially in the midrange, and let his offense build from there.
Although he may not be at his peak anymore, teams are still going to respect his shooting and run him off the three-point line. He needs to capitalize on that. Take the available shot inside the arc instead of forcing a three just to get one up.
Tonight showed how much he can give this offense when he finds that balance. With the attention Giannis and Bam draw, Miami needs Klay making defenses pay.
2. Bam is getting into a rhythm
Bam followed up his strong performance against Atlanta with another great game: 27 points on 11/14 shooting, 9 rebounds, and 3 steals.
This is the rhythm I have wanted to see him find. Playing alongside Giannis brings an adjustment, and these last two games have been encouraging. Bam looks more comfortable finding his opportunities, and Miami is scoring efficiently from both of its bigs.
Bam and Giannis combined for 58 points on 24/32 shooting. That is a lot for a defense to deal with, especially when Klay is hitting shots around them.
3. Miami cleaned up its closeouts
The Heat were not doing a good enough job getting out to Indiana’s bigs early. Jay Huff and Larry Nance Jr. were getting too much space on the perimeter, and Miami needed to close out faster. Giving up 42 points in the first quarter was a rough start.
To their credit, they adjusted. After the first half, getting out to those bigs was much less of an issue.
I still want to see Miami sharper from the opening tip. You cannot consistently give teams that kind of start. But it was encouraging to see them recognize the problem and adjust.
4. The vision was there: defense turning into offense
Once Miami started getting stops, you could see how this team wants to play. The Heat could push the pace and attack before Indiana’s defense got set, with Giannis leading the break and Davion and Pelle getting downhill.
Miami finished with eight steals and 15 fast-break points. The Heat also scored 64 points in the paint and recorded 38 assists on 54 made baskets. The offense moved the ball, and multiple players contributed.
Davion finished with 15 points, six rebounds, and 11 assists, continuing to give Miami production as a playmaker. Pelle added 18 points without missing a shot from the field, going 5/5 and getting to the line for eight free throws.
That is the vision. Get stops, get out and run, and make the defense deal with more than just Giannis.
Next up: Lakers
Miami is now 1-0 in NBA Cup play, and the 20-point margin could matter with point differential serving as a tiebreaker in the group standings. I may not put much stock in the Cup itself, but this was an encouraging win and a chance to see this team start putting things together.
Next up is the Lakers on November 2. The Heat have a chance to make it three straight wins and keep building on the rhythm they have found over these last two games.
