Hoops Access

The Miami Heat are playing well so far this season and there is an overall consensus that they very well are the best team in the league. This year there are a few differences when it comes to the Heat.

There is no more waiting around, when the Heat want to run the floor, they run the floor and often times run you off the court. The Heat are one of the more athletic teams in the league and no one can argue that. The Heat are number one in the league in points scored at 108.1 ppg and also number one in assists per game at 23.7 apg. The Heat have the offense and that is undeniable. They are relentless and attack attack attack and get to the foul line. LeBron has attempted 87 free throws through just 10 games, which calculates out to 8.7 free throw attempts per game.

The Miami Heat have the offensive assets to win many games and that has been obvious since they became the “Big Three”. Where the Heat are lacking something, is the fourth quarter and on the defensive side of the ball.

LeBron’s steal numbers per game is up from a season ago, but the team overall is ranked 27 in the league in points allowed at 98.0 ppg. The Heat score in bunches, but they also allow too many points considering the players they have on their team.

James has been notorious for his lack of defense, unless he can find a way to make a SportsCenter highlight for it. The Heat as a team have been outscored in the fourth quarter by a combined total of 27 points. The fact that the Heat are losing the fourth quarter battle simply reminds me of last seasons NBA Finals. LeBron and his inability to play to his normal level in the final quarter along with the Heat not knowing where to turn for their production. In one of the games where the Heat actually outscored someone in the final quarter came in their triple-overtime victory against the Hawks. In that game LeBron James and Dwyane Wade were sidelines and Chris Bosh and a few other role players rose to the occasion. If you watched the last-minute the Heat almost looked more organized because they knew where to turn to for the final shot. Chris Bosh and Mario Chalmers ran a pick-and-roll and they tied the game on a three-point shot by Bosh, probably not drawn up that way, but it worked.

The Heat have a problem with finishing games and it continues to happen time and time again. The Heat need to find an answer or I see another NBA Finals collapse with LeBron James nowhere to be seen happening again this season. An NBA game last four quarters and the Heat seem to think they can get away with only playing hard in three of them.

Last night was the best example of the Heat’s inability to play in the fourth quarter and LeBron’s lack of presence late in games. The Golden State Warriors outscored the Heat 24-12 in the final quarter and LeBron had one point on zero shots taken. Wow! LeBron refused to take shots and gave up on multiple plays. LeBron is notorious for this and he needs to fix his effort and strategy in the fourth quarter or like I said before the Heat will collapse once again.

The Heat are set to square off against Chris Paul, Blake Griffin and the Los Angeles Clippers tonight. We will see if the Heat learned anything from last night, or if they play on not showing up when the game gets close once again.