Miami Heat have had a rocky start to the season but garnered a miraculous 8-win streak to put the team back into playoff radar. However, our efforts have come a long way to suddenly drop off in the 4th quarter. Some of the games have close margins but a good amount have the teams outscoring Miami by double digits.
In the games so far:
Miami Heat 4th Quarter Performances:
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Outscored by Pistons, 0-1
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Outscored by Celtics, 0-2
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Outscored by Timberwolves, 0-3
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Outscored the Bucks, 1-3
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Outscored by Nets, 1-4
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Outscored by Wizards, 1-5
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Outscored by Lakers, 1-6
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Outscored the Grizzlies, 2-6
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Outscored by Hawks, 2-7
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Outscored the Spurs, 3-7
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Outscored by Hornets, 3-8
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Outscored by Nets, 3-9
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Outscored by Bulls, 3-10
The team is still coming to grips with new players and having them adjust to their roles, I’ll give them the benefit of doubt for that. However, you would think the Heat would be closer to .500 when it comes to the last quarter. It is worrying to watch the our team have a 10-point lead just for us to keep missing shots and have the other team chip their way back into a tie, and at the same time, Spo will not call a timeout to force the offense to reset. He will let the other team come back into contention and then call a timeout.
In the first 3 quarters we play a lot of movement offense to get shooters open. This works. We rode this through the playoffs.
In the 4th quarter if we have a lead we stop all movement and start playing iso ball to reduce the risk of turnover. The idea is to preserve the lead at the cost of point production and differential by reducing potential opponent possessions.
Problem is 1) without Herro we have limited options for reliable iso scoring (and even Herro isn’t exactly an iso god or anything), 2) we still turn the ball over off travels, moving screen calls, bad shots, etc, so the whole premise is shot.
Overreaction, but if you want more analysis: it’s the start of the season and our vet leaders DGAF right now. Also, we’re incorporating new faces and Herro’s injury doesn’t help. Don’t forget we won a lot of games in the 4th quarter last season so it’s not like we’re not capable of pulling it off. Give them time.
Could some of those games have maybe starters benching due to leads or losses?
Could it be early season spo giving JJJ and crew more rope to fail with?
Many less reason than ooft we bad