An unlikely Miami Heat lineup that’s averaging 152 points per game. And Olynyk’s rare feat
At times in recent weeks, they have been the stretches of games where Miami Heat fans needed to hold their collective breath, where the hope was merely to survive.
But on Friday, a lineup without either of the Heat’s All-Stars didn’t merely tread water; it took control of the game.
It was a group of four reserves - former NBA starters Goran Dragic, Andre Iguodala, Kelly Olynyk and Jae Crowder - plus starter Duncan Robinson that fueled the 13-0 run that rallied the Heat from down five and essentially catapulted Miami to a much-needed win against Dallas.
Playing without either Jimmy Butler or Bam Adebayo on the court can be a risky proposition, but one Erik Spoelstra hasn’t shied away from.
But that aforementioned quintet has been the Heat’s third best lineup this season, from a plus/minus standpoint, putting up some eye-popping offensive numbers.
That Dragic/Iguodala/Olynyk/Crowder/Robinson grouping, entering Saturday’s game against Brooklyn, had collectively outscored teams 111-70 in 35 minutes, while shooting 59 percent from the field (37 for 63) and 52.5 on threes (21 for 40).
Per 48 minutes, that lineup is averaging a whopping 152 points.
“It was great,” Butler said of the Heat surging ahead with both its All-Stars on the bench. “We enjoy it. We want everybody to be successful. Our second unit [plays] hard for us, lot of energy, smart, plays for one another, the type of basketball you get here in Miami.”
Miami’s best lineup this season has been the group that was starting before Meyers Leonard’s serious ankle injury on Feb. 3. That quintet of Butler, Adebayo, Leonard, Robinson and Kendrick Nunn has outscored teams by 121 points in 488 minutes.
With Derrick Jones Jr. playing alongside Butler, Adebayo, Robinson and Nunn, Miami is a plus 42.
But the five-man group that orchestrated Friday’s 13-0 run is now the third-best Heat lineup from a plus/minus standpoint.
When Butler and Adebayo are on the court together this season, Miami has outscored its opponents by 202. When they aren’t on the court together, Miami has been outscored by eight.
Iguodala was a plus 13 on Friday; over his previous 102 minutes going into Friday’s game, Miami had been outscored by 73 points when he was on the floor.
But Spoelstra said he hasn’t paid attention to that plus/minus with Iguodala.
“You can see the versatility that he brings on both ends of the court,” Spoelstra said. “It’s not going to be perfect right now. This is going to take a little bit of time. I think it’s really remarkable that he’s been able to play almost 20 minutes per game with a new team and fit in and still find a way to be effective. That’s only going to get better because of his IQ and feel for the game. He makes a lot of winning plays.”
OLYNYK’S SURGE
Olynyk entered Saturday in the midst of his best stretch of the season. Over the past four games, he has scored 47 points on 16 for 24 shooting (including 12 for 17 on three-pointers), plus 22 rebounds, 16 assists, five steals and two blocks.
Miami has outscored teams by 53 points when Olynyk has been on the court during that stretch.
“He’s been in a good space right now,” Spoelstra said. “He’s been playing more productive minutes for us. Hopefully, we can just continue to build on that. He’s really valuable to what we do offensively.”
Olynyk had 13 points, seven rebounds and nine assists in just 18:45 on Friday. Per journalist Simon Smith, Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo is the only other player since 1982 to post those numbers (or more) in 19 minutes or less.
▪ Spoelstra doesn’t typically lobby for awards, but said Friday that “I would hope Goran would be considered for that [sixth man of the year award] this year, particularly with the type of season we’ve had.”
Dragic’s 16.5 points per game is fifth among NBA reserves; the Clippers’ Lou Williams is first at 19.1.
▪ Spoelstra joked how it was rare for Iguodala to play in a zone defense Friday.
“It’s different,” Iguodala said. “But at the end of the day, it’s basketball. I think everyone understands the culture that’s been built around here. You come in and you’ll be a well-oiled machine. Focus on the task at hand and you just pick it right up.”
Iguodala has attempted only 31 shots in 158 minutes with the Heat, making 15.
“I want him to be more aggressive,” Adebayo said. “He passes up a little bit too much. He’s finding his way. I’m looking forward to seeing him back in his Finals MVP mode, draining threes. That’s the Ig I want to see.”
▪The Heat hopes Tyler Herro returns from his ankle/foot injury in a week or two, but the situation is fluid based on whether he has any setbacks. He’s doing on-court work but not full practices.
▪ The loss to Minnesota and win against Dallas marked the first time ever that the Heat scored at least 126 points in consecutive games.
▪ Adebayo entered Saturday with 301 assists on the season, joining Lamar Odom as the only two players in franchise history who are 6-9 or taller with 300 assists in a single season. Odom had 327 in his only season with the Heat (2003-04).
This story was originally published February 29, 2020 at 11:36 AM.
