If the Heat failed to overthrow the Nuggets or really shake them up in the second half, it was partly because of the joint underperformance of Caleb Martin and Max Strus, authors of 3 points at 1/17 on the shoot . The two players clearly missed this Game 1 in Denver.
“Everything is fine for them”already reassures Erik Spoelstra at a press conference. “We can’t always put our shots. We can win matches without 3-point shots and our players can catch fire. With a few incoming shots, we can create an avalanche. »
Fortunately for the Heat coach, a player has gone up a notch to compensate (a little) for this clumsiness of the duo: Haywood Highsmith. Already interesting in Game 6 against the Celtics with 15 points, the interior was one of the good surprises for Miami in this defeat. With 18 points at 7/10 to shoot, he even equaled his career best, established in the regular season. The game of his life.
“The Finals are the final stage. I prepared myself, I worked all my life for this. I’m built for this”explains the player. “I had ups and downs during the season and throughout my career. So I’m ready. »
The Right Choices
On the court, Highsmith does simple things and he does them well. He is active in defense, well placed in attack and never forces. His 3-point basket 2:35 from the end even allowed Miami to come back to less than ten points and with 12 points in the last quarter, he clearly showed his advantage.
“He is comfortable and confident,” observes Jimmy Butler. “He shoots very well, cuts towards the circle, defends. He does everything that is asked of him. In this game, he gave space to our attack. He fought in defense too and that’s his trademark in this league. He continues to do so, even in Finals. »
A Haywood Highsmith at this level is obviously good news for Miami. But if Martin and Strus, without forgetting Duncan Robinson (3 to 1/6 in the shoot), do not find efficiency, the former Philadelphia player will not be able to make the difference on his own.
“We need that from each of the players, regardless of the minutes,” claims Spoelstra. “Our group is like this: players make an effort, have an impact and that inspires the player next door to do the same. We need more stuff like this. He stayed ready and managed good minutes. »
| Haywood Highsmith | Percentage | Bounces | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Crew | GM | Minimum | Shots | 3 points | LF | Off | Def | Early | pd | party | Int | bp | CT | Points |
| 2018-19 | PHL | 5 | 8 | 40.0 | 20.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.4 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 1.8 |
| 2021-22 | MIA | 19 | 9 | 34.8 | 32.1 | 40.0 | 0.5 | 0.8 | 1.4 | 0.3 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 2.3 |
| 2022-23 | MIA | 54 | 18 | 43.1 | 33.9 | 46.4 | 1.1 | 2.4 | 3.5 | 0.8 | 1.5 | 0.7 | 0.8 | 0.3 | 4.4 |
| Total | 78 | 15 | 41.5 | 33.1 | 42.9 | 0.9 | 2.0 | 2.8 | 0.7 | 1.2 | 0.5 | 0.6 | 0.3 | 3.7 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Shots made / Shots attempted; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def= defensive rebound; Tot = Total bounces; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost bullets; Ct: Counters; Points = Points.
