– The early debate, albeit in jest, was whether Jaime Jaquez Jr. should announce his candidacy for Most Improved Player of Sixth Man of the Year.
– The reality is that to this point, he might be the Heat’s MVP.
– The Heat entered No. 1 in the NBA in pace, the Blazers at No. 2.
– Of that factor, Spoelstra said going in, “We’re going to play our style. I’m pretty sure they’ll try to do their style, as well. So I think for the fans, it’ll be a fun game to watch.”
– And, yet, the Heat entered ranked No. 16 in offensive rating, the Trail Blazers No. 17.
– Meaning? “I don’t really look at that,” Spoelstra said. “We’re just trying to get to a style – The game closed the first of the Heat’s 15 back-to-back sets this season.