Mateo’s Hoop Diary: Loss in Brooklyn underlines Heat’s desperate need of the cavalry

The Nets’ defense made the Heat look impotent in the fourth quarter, their second-worst (net rating) of the season, after scoring nine points on 9.5% shooting. It was like a varsity squad whooping on five randoms at the park. Such a poor showing highlighted the need for reinforcements coming soon in the form of Andrew Wiggins, Kyle Anderson, and Davion Mitchell.

After the game, Tyler Herro said, “We should’ve won,” but he and Bam Adebayo faded down the stretch. Coach Erik Spoelstra lamented how the team couldn’t accelerate past an eight-point lead in the fourth quarter before the collapse. He also said his team is inconsistent and doesn’t manage success well.

The Heat got smoked in the last 10 minutes on a  31-7 to close the game. Trendon Watford was the Net who caused the most damage in this stretch on four drive-bys to the rim. Keon Johnson and D’Angelo Russell added multiple field goals, and the defense blocked the Heat seven times in the period. 

Rookie Kel’el Ware got yanked to the bench after fewer than five fourth-quarter minutes because he was out of position on defense and slow to help.

Even more disconcerting: the team thought they would roll over the hosts because they were 17 games below .500 before Friday’s start. They got butchered on the glass and wasted one of their rare strong performances from Terry Rozier.

Adebayo said after the game the team cannot outscore opponents, but they have to play better defensively. Despite the team’s ninth-rated defense, it’s mostly smoke and mirrors as they register a pitiful 118 defensive rating against the top teams (top five seeds in the East and highest four in the West; the Heat has not played Memphis this year). Nonetheless, Adebayo attributed defensive troubles to not knowing what coverage they’re in, missed block outs and miscommunication.

Of course, Andrew Wiggins and Davion Mitchell’s perimeter defense will help create the stops and transition opportunities the team needs. But the ceiling is first-round at best if Adebayo and Herro don’t play like All-Stars. They must be better on offense because all those missed shots are getting the opponent out in transition like turnovers. Herro said after the game, “It also puts a lot more pressure on our defense if we’re not scoring.”

Furthermore, Haywood Highsmith needs to be more of a threat to score if he’s going to remain in the starting lineup. He can always set a quick screen for Adebayo and Herro, then roll with his hands up, signaling he wants the ball, or pop out on the side for a jumper. And Nikola Jović, who only snagged one rebound, must play like he’s 6’10 and not 5’7.