As the Miami Heat work towards getting their season back on track, Andrew Wiggins is finding a new flow within a unique lineup.
The Miami Heat's offense returned to its original form in the last couple of games against the Atlanta Hawks and Indiana Pacers, resulting in victories. Those were much needed after they lost nine out of their previous 11 games. One of the key factors in the team's recent success has been Andrew Wiggins.
The former All-Star forward has faced some ups and downs throughout the season, especially with changes of role, sometimes depending on who's available. Regardless, he's still averaging 16.4 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.1 steals, and 1.1 blocks a game. However, the 30-year-old has found an extra spark in the last couple of games.
On Friday night, Dec. 26th, against the Hawks, Wiggins finished with 18 points, eight rebounds, three assists, a steal, and a block in 32 minutes of action. He also recorded the highest positive plus-minus out of the whole team, 21. The Heat won the matchup, with a final score of 126-111, with Wiggins leaving an impact on both sides of the court.
The following night, against the Pacers, the former NBA champion took his performance to another level, finishing with 28 points, six rebounds, three assists, three steals, and a block while shooting 75 percent from the field, also a perfect four-for-four from behind the arc in 31 minutes.
A key factor in Wiggins finding a flow offensively has been playing alongside the second unit, such as Nikola Jovic, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Pelle Larsson, and Dru Smith.
In the last two games, that lineup has recorded 11 minutes, an offensive rating of 148, 67.4 effective field goal percentage, 72.2 true shooting percentage, and a 77 player impact estimation.
"It's fun with those guys," Wiggins said. "Someone like [Jovic], who is 6'10 and he's pushing the pace like a point guard. It's fun to play with all of those guys. We all stay in attack mode, help each other out. We just try to get the best shot wherever we can to win. It was definitely a fun group to play with."
Jaquez Jr. shared a 28-point game alongside the veteran forward against the Pacers. The third-year prospect alluded to "loving" the opportunity of sharing the court with him.
"He impacts the game on so many levels," Jaquez Jr. said. "He's a big help to our group, obviously, he's got so much experience and knowledge. To have him in that group with us settles us in."
The Heat will host Nikola Jokić and the Denver Nuggets tonight at home. The team will need the same impact from Wiggins and more, alongside the rest of the roster, to come through with a victory.
More Miami Heat News: