In the latest episode of Locked on Heat, the hosts dive into Miami’s narrow 106-103 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks. Here’s a quick rundown of the main points from the first part of the episode:
- Game Recap: Miami had a chance to beat the Bucks, who were without Giannis Antetokounmpo, but Damian Lillard’s early performance and Miami’s shooting struggles were too much to overcome. Despite a 22-point deficit, the Heat tied the game in the fourth quarter but fell short in the final seconds.
- Offense in the Clutch: Tyler Herro missed a 3-pointer with about 5 seconds left in the game, and while the shot was criticized by some members of the fanbase, ultimately it was a shot that Herro is comfortable making and has hit several times before. With Miami down 3 with just over a second left to play, Terry Rozier took a one-step dribble and deep 3-pointer as time expired. While it might not have been the best shot in that situation, and Rozier might not have been the ideal option, a game like this should not have boiled down to a last-second shot in order for a chance to decide the game in overtime.
- Coaching Decisions: The discussion touched on whether Duncan Robinson should have been on the floor for the final play, given his shooting ability. The hosts generally supported the decisions made by coach Erik Spoelstra.
- Player Performances: Jimmy Butler and Rozier were highlighted for their efforts in the comeback. Rozier, after missing time due to an injury, came off the bench versus Milwaukee and scored 17 points. His offense was crucial in the fourth quarter and he also did a good job of challenging Lillard in the second half.
- Damian Lillard’s Impact: Lillard’s 36-point game, including 33 in the first half, was a major factor in Milwaukee’s win. The hosts speculated whether Lillard had extra motivation against Miami, given the offseason trade rumors.
- Team Resilience: Despite the loss, Miami’s ability to fight back from a large deficit was seen as a positive sign of their grit and determination. It feels like a similar trajectory to past seasons, where the team simply hasn’t been a very good team during the regular season, but the combination of going through different lineups and giving a variety of players an opportunity to perform in tightly contested games, has helped players gain much-needed experience that has been beneficial in the postseason.
- Future Considerations: The episode also touched on potential trade needs for Miami, particularly at the power forward position, to bolster their lineup. There doesn’t seem to be a trade that makes sense at the moment and, given that Miami is hanging on to their limited draft capital, one doesn’t seem likely in the future, as well.
The team won’t have much time to dwell on the loss to the Bucks as they travel to Charlotte to take on the Hornets on Wednesday night.
