5 Takeaways from Heat’s Final Regular Season Game Vs Pistons

The Miami Heat finished off the regular season with a win over the Detroit Pistons. They were without most of their primary players, including Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo, Goran Dragic, Kendrick Nunn, and others. Anyway, here were some of the takeaways from this final game before the post-season…

#1: Tyler Herro displaying his play-making in a similar setting.

When the Heat faced off against the Philadelphia 76ers early in the season with 8 available players, Tyler Herro’s number one takeaway was very simple to the one tonight: Downhill play-making. Now, the reasoning for that isn’t as clear. He looks to be playing much more freely in these games when working pick and rolls, but the fact that he looks smoother with Precious Achiuwa as a roller is definitely odd. But, the 2 on 1’s were on point tonight in the half-court, which led to him tying his season high with assists in the first half alone, then achieving a career high 11 assists. The decision making for Herro is going to be the biggest step in his game that isn’t physical, since Kendrick Nunn has made that mental fix recently and has absolutely thrived. If this level of play-making can carry over to a full rotation, then he may need the ball in his hands more often in the lineups with Goran Dragic and Nunn.

#2: Nemanja Bjelica gets it going from deep.

Nemanja Bjelica was the leading scorer at the half for Miami with 17 points, going 4 for 4 from beyond the arc. I think many are aware that his strength is shooting the basketball, and nights like this can occur when shots drop to start. One thing I’d like to point out from his game that was a bit surprising was his play-making. The Kelly Olynyk comparisons are no longer necessary with where the Heat stand at the moment, but when many believed he was the replacement, I said the passing abilities would be the tell. The thing about this game was that he is a much better play-maker than originally expected, especially around the rim. It’s odd that we’re getting our first true evaluation of Bjelica in the final two games of the season, but it’s clear this will also be the last.

#3: Precious Achiuwa with a mini Summer League type game.

In some ways, this was a mini Summer League for Precious Achiuwa in a lot of ways. Once again, this refers back to that two game set with Philly early in the season, when Achiuwa was allowed to play as free as can be to just showcase his youthful abilities. One thing that is clear with his game is that he is super explosive, but the issue is that leads him to the free throw line a little too often. The free throw shooting is far from being his best attribute, but the other stuff in the post and as a roller will be so crucial for his long term success. Not to harp on Summer League too much, but that element is so necessary for him to make an impact in this league. This notion that he could be a reliable back-up big with absolutely zero experience seemed to have some recency bias after the rise of Herro and Nunn the previous season. The thing is: they both played in Summer League.

#4: Duncan Robinson plays his 72nd game of the season, which is quite the accolade.

Duncan Robinson’s list of accolades has been a long one this season, but the one he achieved today is much different, but it’s still so impressive. Playing all 72 games in this type of year is something that seems pretty close to impossible. Obviously it’s been done throughout the league, but the usage of Robinson makes it so much more interesting. When discussing a guy that never stops running on offense just to find a slimmer of space, it just doesn’t seem like durability would be the outcome. But it has been, and Erik Spoelstra says it begins with his body of work behind the scenes. Before the game, he said, “He’ll continue to grow because of that work ethic. But that conditioning….is underrated. He’s put in a lot of work behind the scenes. He’s not the same physical player from when he showed up in our building.” So, the clear takeaway is that even though injuries can’t be prevented, it’s possible to put in the work to control what you can control.

#5: Heat vs Bucks: The rematch.

Well well well, it’s official. The Miami Heat will face off against the Milwaukee Bucks yet again in the post-season, while last year’s result must be totally erased from memory. Both teams with different rosters from a year ago, while each have a chip on their shoulder in this circumstance. Milwaukee clearly remembers what Miami did to them last season, while the Heat remember how they went out in the Finals. When evaluating the match-up between the two teams, it’s hard to truly know on film. Jimmy Butler has yet to play the Bucks this season, meaning it’s not easy to really know how the defensive match-ups would look. Even if he did play in the regular season, it wouldn’t mirror the level of play Butler brings in the post-season. Many are aware of the statement floating around that no one wants to play Butler in a 7 game series, and that still stands.