For the second consecutive game, the Miami Heat hosted the Atlanta Hawks. With Kevin Love out, the Heat started Max Strus in his place. The beginning of the first quarter was a nightmare for Miami. The Hawks punished them in the paint and scored 18 straight times there. But as the game went along, Miami picked up their defensive intensity. With great contributions off the bench, Miami was able to pull away for the victory. Here are my takeaways from Miami’s win over Atlanta.
Another Poor Defensive Start
Miami entered the all-star break as a top 5 defensive team. However, they haven’t looked like it since the all-star break ended. Especially at the start of games. On Monday, it happened again. Miami had trouble stopping the Hawks from getting into the paint. Atlanta was able to get into the lane relentlessly without much resistance. And this was against everybody on the Heat. With the Hawks getting into the paint, Miami countered with the zone defense. Unfortunately, the Hawks made them pay by exploiting the Heat’s zone defense and knocking down the triples. Atlanta finished the first quarter with 43 points, before going into the halftime with 68.
Caleb Excelling in New Role
Since the Love signing, Caleb Martin has been moved to the bench. It’s a role many have wanted for Martin all season long. It’s a role that Martin is very familiar and comfortable with. He’s able to play more freely and not be limited as a small ball four. With the Heat lacking energy and intensity, Martin brought both once he entered the game. He scored 16 points in the period to help Miami trim Atlanta. Martin scored off of back door cuts, slips, and open shots. Defensively, he limited dribble penetration from the Hawks guards. Martin finished the night with 21 points.
Oladipo!
Victor Oladipo has struggled a lot since returning from his ankle injury. There have been moments where he turns the ball over alot which hurts the Heat’s offense. Usually, it would be off of careless live ball turnovers that would force the Heat to get back in transition. That was very evident in the first half of Monday’s game. As the Heat’s leading point guard off the bench, he was very loose with the turnovers. But in the third quarter, Oladipo’s game shifted for the better. Most importantly, he started to look like the Oladipo of old. The shifty ball handling and the burst was on full display in the second half. Oladipo’s performance gave the Heat a huge jolt of energy. Oladipo finished the night with 21 points.
Butler Flirts with Triple Double
The one player who loves playing the Hawks is Jimmy Butler. He’s able to get to his preferred matchups easily against the Hawks. Butler started the game off slow offensively, but got others involved. He picked up his offensive in the third period when Miami needed it. Butler provided consistent rim pressure and drawing fouls on the Hawks. It also opened up more opportunities for his teammates. And when it was time to close the game, Butler sealed the deal down the stretch with timely baskets and assists. Even though he fell short of triple double, it was an all-around good performance from Butler. Butler finished with 26 points, nine rebounds and, nine assists.
Next up: The Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday. Game tips off at 7:30pm eastern.
