Takeaways from Miami Heat’s Victory over the Thunder

Photo Via Heat.com

The Miami Heat‘s injury problems continued on Tuesday. Before their game against the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Heat announced that four starters would be out on Tuesday. Of course, this wasn’t knew for the Heat. They’re been battling injuries all season. Despite being shorthanded, Miami still made it a game. The Thunder picked up their first lead in the third quarter. They also lead by five down the stretch. But in the end, Miami came through with the victory. With the win, Miami moves to 22-20 for the season. Here are my takeaways from Tuesday’s win over the Thunder.

Jimmy Butler at the Free Throw Line

The past few days, there was talk about the non-call on Jimmy Butler‘s potential game winning basket. Yesterday, the league came back and stated that was the correct call. On Tuesday, Butler was determined to get to the free-throw line, and he did. Butler had 23 of Miami’s 40 free throws on the night. He kept attacking and drawing fouls throughout the whole game. Butler was very active on the defensive end getting blocks and playing the passing lanes. His and-one basket at the end of the game sealed the Heat’s victory. Butler finished the night with 35 points, seven rebounds, four steals, and three blocks.

Clock Ticking On Dedmon?

This has not been Dewayne Dedmon‘s best season. At all. He hasn’t been good on the defensive end with teams attacking him in drop coverages. He kept getting beat on the Heat’s zone defense. A Thunder player kept getting open on the Heat’s baseline for a dunk or layup. It kept happening on consecutive possessions. After that, is where things got heated. Dedmon got in a heated discussion with Miami’s coaching staff and then stormed off to the locker-room. As he stormed off the court, he punched a therapy gun off a table in frustration, which led to his ejection. Dedmon will be trade eligible on January 15th. And it appears his time in Miami is coming to an end.

New NBA Record

Four starters were out for Miami. They needed to find a way to win the game. So, Miami decided to make history on Tuesday night. They became the first team to make 40 consecutive free throws without missing in a game. The previous record was 39 free throws. As mentioned earlier, 23 of those free throws came from Butler. Miami was rewarded with their aggressiveness for going to the basket. This wasn’t a pretty game. Miami had to get this win out the mud. But still, 40 consecutive made free throws is a nice feat.

Oladipo’s Performance

Victor Oladipo continues to trend upward with his offense. He continued to attack the basket. Oladipo, however, does tend to make the wrong passes at times. Hopefully, the three-point shooting improves. His offense is still a work a progress. But you have to like what you’re seeing so far from. His defense was already elite and has arguably been Miami’s best perimeter defender. Oladipo has a knack for stripping the ball off of defenders. He doesn’t care who’s in front of him. It’s like he takes his matchups personal. Oladipo finished the night with 19 points.