Mateo’s Hoop Diary: The Heat blew it late against the Bulls in Chicago

Five Heatles scoring in double-figures wasn’t enough to secure the win because the defense lost its edge and gave up 19 trifectas. To make matters worse, the Bulls scored  16.1 percentage points above the league average in the paint non restricted area.

But things were going well early. Duncan Robinson and Kel’el Ware scored the team‘s first four baskets at long plus close range and put them up 10-2 at the first Bulls stoppage. It didn’t help the hosts much on defense because Miami slammed three more lobs and made two extra 3-pointers to take a 37-32 lead at the end of the first quarter.

On the other side, the heat mixed in a zone with man-to-man coverage, but rookie Matas Buzelis erupted for nine points on rim attacks, a putback, and a 3-pointer. Ayo Dosunmu was the only other Bull to make multiple field goals in the period, too. But the Heat countered with Jaime Jaquez Jr., Nikola Jović and Alec Burks combining for eight shots in 11 tries.

At halftime, the Heat was up 70-60. They were tied in paint points at 32 and tied in fastbreak points at four. But the Bulls were up in second-chance points 13-7.

Subsequently, the third quarter was a shootout. Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro carried the Heat offensively. But the bulls eviscerated the zone plus man-to-man coverage. Dosunmu even dunked viciously on Robison on a drive from the wing to the cup. And Coby White burned the Heat with three 3-pointers.

The fourth quarter started with the heat ahead 103-94. Their offense went cold to the tune of two makes in their first dozen tries, which allowed the Bulls to tie with six minutes left. Next, Adebayo tried to stop the bleeding with a baseline lob, a layup through contact and two mid-range jumpers, but it wasn’t enough. The Bulls made their next five baskets in nine attempts to take control.

The Heat lost 133-124. The team was outscored in paint points 58-46 and fastbreak points 13-6. Both squads were tied in second-chance points with 15.

Takeaways:

• Ware had 13 points in the first quarter but got weaker as the game went on, scoring only four more digits. He’s too physically gifted and should never take his foot off the accelerator. 

• Adebayo was sensational in a lost effort. He had 23 points on 58.8% shooting, with eight rebounds, four assists and three turnovers. He scored four of the Heat’s seven field goals in the fourth quarter.

• Buzelis scored 24 points on an immaculate 10 shots from outside and in.

• Robinson only played 11 minutes. He was on the injury report with a hip contusion before the game and did not defend well. 

• Rozier was a dud in 29 minutes, making two shots and 12 tries and got beat on defense. 

• Herro was unlike an All-Star, making only a third of his shots and was forced into some bad ones.

• The Heat’s zone was cracked on dribble penetration, and the team stayed too long in it. 

• Nikola Jović had 20 points off the bench, including five 3-pointers. He continues to be a bright spot for the team.