Three observations from the Miami Heat’s 106-103 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday night at Kaseya Center.
1. Jimmy Butler creating 3s
Three of Butler’s five assists resulted in Heat 3-pointers. When we talk about Butler being in attack mode, this is the most obvious benefit (besides his own scoring).
When Butler gets a switch and battles a smaller player down low, it forces the opposing defense to help and creates an advantage for the Heat offense. Watch here as he takes Damian Lillard into the post, drawing help from Brook Lopez and creating an open look for Bam Adebayo.
Also interesting: Bam is positioned beyond the 3-point line above the break. Last season, he would have been below the basket in the dunker spot, ready for a dump-off pass or to crash the glass for an offensive rebound. This alone shows the changes in Miami’s offense this season.
2. Bam Adebayo’s shot chart
It’ll get lost in this loss, but Adebayo’s shot chart was just about what the Heat want in this new offense. Six shots in and around the restricted area, two 3-point attempts and one mid-range jumper (and even that one was from his sweet spot at the free-throw line).
Those shots at the basket are key. Adebayo has had a hard time getting them consistently this season, but sometimes it’s just about the Heat making it a priority. Here, they get the smaller Gary Trent Jr. switched onto him via a pick-and-roll with Terry Rozier. Then, it’s basically a triangle action. Rozier passes to Jaime Jaquez Jr. on the wing, who pings it to Adebayo for an open dunk.
3. Terry Rozier stepping up on defense
Damian Lillard torched the Heat for 33 points in the first half. He was the biggest reason for the Bucks opening a 22-point lead. Haywood Highsmith couldn’t keep up with him and Jimmy Butler didn’t fare much better.
In the second half, coach Erik Spoelstra turned to Terry Rozier. Perhaps this was a way to challenge Rozier in his first game off the bench. Give it your all on both ends and maybe you can earn your starting job back. Lillard did not even attempt a shot with Rozier as his primary defender. It was also a team effort, but Rozier held his own as the point-of-attack defender.
