Winderman’s view: As another loss shows, it’s as simple as Heat don’t have a shot without a shot
Observations and other notes of interest from Friday night’s 128-99 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks:
– You can break this one down any way you choose.
– But if you can’t make 3-pointers, you can’t win.
– The Heat can’t make 3-pointers.
– They are terrible at it.
– And were once again on Friday night.
– Need perspective?
– Fine.
– At the end of the third period, Meyers Leonard had more 3-pointers (1) than Kevin Love (0 for 4), Gabe Vincent (0 for 5), Victor Oladipo (0 for 2) and Duncan Robinson (0 for 2) combined.
– Leonard plays for the Bucks.
– Who certainly could shoot straight Friday night.
– At that same juncture, Jae Crowder had two 3-pointers.
– He also now plays for the Bucks.
– Yes, Jimmy Butler did his part.
– Before wisely being pulled when it got out of hand, with another game Saturday in Charlotte.
– So did Bam Adebayo.
– But two-point shooting only gets you so far.
– And, yes, Tyler Herro had his moments in his hometown return, actually making 3-pointers.
– The Heat entered the night 28th in the 30-team NBA in 3-point percentage.
– With only Houston and Charlotte worse.
– And they stink.
– So, instead, you walk away from Friday heartened that Cody Zeller arrived in game shape.
– Which hardly is enough to dig them out of a No. 7 hole in the East.
– Ultimately still looking like a team with no shot.
– Even with those late, meaningless conversions.
– The Heat didn’t waste any time when it came to testing Kevin Love in their starting lineup.
– It was Love’s first start since Jan. 2 for the Cavaliers against the Bulls and only his fourth start of the season.
– And only his eighth start in 116 appearances over the last two seasons.
– That had Caleb Martin shifted to the second unit, his first game as a reserve this season.
– The other four starters remained Adebayo, Butler, Herro and Vincent.
– With Vincent again filling in for sidelined Kyle Lowry.
– With the start, Adebayo tied LeBron James for 12th on the Heat all-time list.
– Besides Lowry, the Heat’s other inactives were Omer Yurtseven, Nikola Jovic and Orlando Robinson.
– Robinson remains at four remaining NBA days on his two-way contract.
– Jamal Cain, the Heat’s other two-way player, was active.
– As was newcomer Zeller.
– Who played as the Heat’s first reserve.
– Oladipo and Max Strus then followed together.
– With Martin playing as ninth man as the Heat’s fourth reserve to enter.
– Followed by Robinson for 10 deep.
– Adebayo’s seventh shot was the 4,000th of his career.
– Love’s first blocked shot was the 350th of his career.
– Love’s first offensive rebound tied Maurice Lucas for 85th on the Heat all-time list.
– Martin’s third 3-point attempt was the 500th of his career.
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