(Mandatory Credit: Evan Bernstein/Getty Images)
Every NBA season has peaks and valleys. Right now, the Miami Heat are in their steepest valley of the season to date. They have lost by 28 and 24 points, respectively, over their last two games to the Minnesota Timberwolves and Indiana Pacers.
It might be useful to throw away the film. But there’s a learning experience to take away from every game. Let’s examine three noteworthy statistics from the Miami Heat’s brutal two-game stretch.
Minus-52 Point Differential:
(AP Photo/Steven Senne)
There have only been eight instances in Miami Heat history where they have lost by 24 points in consecutive games. Additionally, it’s the 18th time that the combined point differential over two straight losses was 50 points or more!
They crumbled in the second half in both games. Miami wasn’t as competitive in its 24-point loss to Indiana, but it still trimmed the lofty deficit in the second half down to seven. However, the Heat were up by nine in the first half against Minnesota before. It’s not unfair to say that both were in reach at some point, despite what the final score reads.
46.0 True Shooting Percentage:
(Mandatory Credit: Melissa Tamez/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
There’s inefficient, and there’s inefficient. Miami couldn’t hit the broad side of a barn in these two games. They combined to shoot just 37.4 percent from the floor and 16-of-67 from 3-point range (23.9), including 4-of-30 from distance against the Pacers.
In totality, the Heat have sported a 46.0 true shooting percentage, the second time since 2015-16 they have shot that poorly over a two-game stretch. They were marginally more efficient (48.3 TS%, 46.7 eFG%) in their final two games against Cleveland last postseason.
Heat have 37 Turnovers, 48 points off turnovers:
(Mandatory Credit: David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)
These two numbers deserve to be lumped together.
Over the last two games, the Heat have coughed up the rock 37 times, which has led to 48 combined points (21 from Wolves, 27 from Pacers). It’s difficult to conjure together any consistent flow offensively if you’re careless with the basketball — regardless of pace. The Heat’s inability to get stops in the halfcourt hasn’t helped their pace — or lack thereof — either. But you have to win on the margins if shots aren’t falling. And Miami hasn’t.
***
To check out our other content, click here.
Follow Hot Hot Hoops on Twitter/XÂ here!
Follow Hot Hot Hoops on Instagram here!
Check out Hot Hot Hoops on Facebook here!
Subscribe to our YouTube channel here!