The Miami HEAT face the Los Angeles Lakers Wednesday night at Staples Center. The HEAT defeated the Lakers 101-88 in their last meeting on November 10. Tip-off is set for 10:30 PM. Television coverage on FOX Sports Sun begins at 10:00 PM. You can also listen to the action live on 790 The Ticket.
1: What stuck out to you about Miami’s victory over Brooklyn?
Couper Moorhead: The good news was that the offense is still clicking as it has been all month. The ball was moving, Hassan Whiteside was getting all sorts of catches in pick-and-rolls, pace was down but there were still opportunistic moments in the open court with Goran Dragic out sick and Josh Richardson continues to shoot like he doesn’t know what it means to miss. All good on that front, though getting Dragic back on the court is obviously important.
It’s the defense that is leaving something to be desired lately. Asked about the team’s scoring after the game, Erik Spoelstra shifted the conversation to the team’s defensive performance. Against Brooklyn, Miami gave up 104.3 points per 100 possessions to a team that usually scores 101.4 and during the month of March the team ranked 16th in defensive efficiency. Considering how important getting stops is to allowing Miami to get out and run, the defense is going to have to be much better than this come the postseason.
Couper Moorhead: The good news was that the offense is still clicking as it has been all month. The ball was moving, Hassan Whiteside was getting all sorts of catches in pick-and-rolls, pace was down but there were still opportunistic moments in the open court with Goran Dragic out sick and Josh Richardson continues to shoot like he doesn’t know what it means to miss. All good on that front, though getting Dragic back on the court is obviously important.
It’s the defense that is leaving something to be desired lately. Asked about the team’s scoring after the game, Erik Spoelstra shifted the conversation to the team’s defensive performance. Against Brooklyn, Miami gave up 104.3 points per 100 possessions to a team that usually scores 101.4 and during the month of March the team ranked 16th in defensive efficiency. Considering how important getting stops is to allowing Miami to get out and run, the defense is going to have to be much better than this come the postseason.
Joe Beguiristain: Dwyane Wade’s masterful performance. From the jump, Wade was locked in on both ends of the floor and really spearheaded Miami’s attack. Once the vet started to command a crowd of Brooklyn defenders, he started to pick them apart with excellent dimes to his teammates. In all, he led the HEAT with nine assists to go along with his 30 points on 14-of-19 shooting.
Another thing that stuck out to me was the continued strong play of Josh Richardson and Justise Winslow. Although both rookies had a little more on their plate with Goran Dragic out due to illness, they took it in stride and fared well. Winslow played point for a short stretch in the first half, while Richardson continued to have the hot hand from long-range. As usual, the former Volunteer also came through in a big way defensively in the fourth quarter.
2: How has Hassan Whiteside improved during his stretch of the season coming off the bench?
Couper: The free-throws are the major thing, as Whiteside is shooting over 80 percent in his last 15 games and given how comfortable he looks at the line and how soft his touch usually is, he might not be due for much regression at all. That’s a huge deal considering how often teams intentionally foul him when he gets a catch around the rim and we shouldn’t underplay how crucial those free-throws are to Miami’s general offensive improvements.
Joe: Like Coup mentioned above, the main improvement has been Whiteside’s free-throw shooting. Earlier in the year, teams took their chances and fouled Whiteside rather than give up an easy finish or dunk. Now, the center is making teams pay for that strategy. The 26-year-old’s improvement from the charity stripe has given him more breathing room around the basket since he’s being fouled less.
Thanks to that, Whiteside has done a good job of rolling to the rim and being ready for the catch either off lobs or pocket passes. As a result, he’s punished the rim of late, totaling 12 dunks in his past two games alone. When you mix that with a few hook shots and mid-range jumpers, you have a player who is continuing to develop his offensive game.
3: How are the Lakers playing as they finish off the season, and what does Miami’s last look at Kobe Bryant mean to you?
Couper: Though the Lakers did beat the Warriors a couple of weeks ago, the last month has generally stayed true to the rest of the season for the Lakers as things just haven’t gone right – including a 48-point loss to the Utah Jazz last Monday. They still have a fascinating young core with D’Angelo Russell, Jordan Clarkson and Julius Randle, and Byron Scott has given those players more freedom lately to aid in their development, but it has yet to translate to wins.
Still, this is as much about Kobe as anything and however you feel about him and what he’s done against your team, it’s a major moment in the history of the league when a player of his caliber hangs it up. I grew up when Portland was fighting the Lakers for the Western Conference title, so naturally Kobe caused my younger self a great deal of pain over the years. He eventually became one of my favorite players to watch as I grew older and learned to appreciate his game – rather than blindly despise it during my teenage years – but nothing will replace the way he made me feel during my formative years as a basketball fan. For that, for all those daggers he hit with a hand in his face, I’ll miss him.
3: How are the Lakers playing as they finish off the season, and what does Miami’s last look at Kobe Bryant mean to you?
Couper: Though the Lakers did beat the Warriors a couple of weeks ago, the last month has generally stayed true to the rest of the season for the Lakers as things just haven’t gone right – including a 48-point loss to the Utah Jazz last Monday. They still have a fascinating young core with D’Angelo Russell, Jordan Clarkson and Julius Randle, and Byron Scott has given those players more freedom lately to aid in their development, but it has yet to translate to wins.
Still, this is as much about Kobe as anything and however you feel about him and what he’s done against your team, it’s a major moment in the history of the league when a player of his caliber hangs it up. I grew up when Portland was fighting the Lakers for the Western Conference title, so naturally Kobe caused my younger self a great deal of pain over the years. He eventually became one of my favorite players to watch as I grew older and learned to appreciate his game – rather than blindly despise it during my teenage years – but nothing will replace the way he made me feel during my formative years as a basketball fan. For that, for all those daggers he hit with a hand in his face, I’ll miss him.
Joe: Much like before the All-Star break, the Lakers have struggled during the home stretch of the season. In fact, Los Angeles has won just 4 of its 19 games since February 19. Despite the tough year, the future is bright with young players such as Julius Randle, D’Angelo Russell and Jordan Clarkson. In particular, Randle has upped his points per game, rebounds per game and shooting percentage since the break. Russell has also played better of late. Both will be key as the Lakers adapt to life after Kobe.
Speaking of which, no matter what stage in their careers they may be at, it’s always special whenever you get the opportunity to witness two all-time greats go at it. If Bryant plays on Wednesday night, it will be the final time that both he and Wade go to battle.
I will always remember Bryant for his unmatched competitive fire and sheer determination to do whatever it takes to win. The similarities between Wade and Bryant are likely why the two are friends off the court as well.
Looking back at all those great Christmas Day games, you certainly take their phenomenal matchup for granted. No matter what happens this time around or how Los Angeles closes out the season, it’s been a fantastic ride for one Kobe Bean Bryant.
Game Notes:
- The HEAT have defeated the Lakers seven straight times dating back to the 2012-13 season.
- Miami has won five of seven overall and is 43-30.
- Los Angeles has dropped eight of nine and is 15-59 on the year.
- Dwyane Wade leads the HEAT in points (19.1) and steals (1.1) per contest.
- Kobe Bryant leads the Lakers in scoring at 16.9 points per game.
Efficiencies (Rank):
- HEAT Offense: 103.8 (12)
- HEAT Defense: 101.3 (6)
- Lakers Offense: 99.0 (29)
- Lakers Defense: 109.6 (30)
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