Offensive dips, defensive lapses, and baffling losses plague the Miami Heat. Players admit: the solution remains elusive before the trade deadline's dust settles.
The Miami Heat won back-to-back games once in January. There have been tons of ups and downs since the four-game win streak, which was snapped on Jan. 3rd. The offensive production has dipped, regardless of who's available. There have been games when the shots aren't falling, and the defense has failed to make up for it, resulting in losses.
In Tuesday night's 127-115 loss against the Atlanta Hawks, it was a continuation of what's been transpiring. Afterwards, Jaime Jaquez Jr. touched on trying to find solutions to the lack of consistency.
"If we had that answer, this would be a lot easier," he said. "That's what us, as players and the coaches, we have to figure out. We're continuing to watch film, continuing to discuss, continuing to try to find solutions. So far, we haven't gotten them."
The Heat has four games remaining before the All-Star break, with three opponents having losing records: Washington Wizards, Utah Jazz, and New Orleans Pelicans. Those are opportunities to finish the first half of the regular season with some momentum.
However, the Heat have fallen against losing-record teams three times in January, with the addition of Tuesday night's loss against the Hawks. They dominated with 42 percent three-point shooting, making 21 out of 50 attempts.
Jalen Johnson had an outstanding performance: 29 points, including three three-pointers made, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists in 36 minutes. It was his 11th triple-double of his young career, and he was recently named a first-time All-Star. CJ McCollum followed with 26 points, including six three-pointers made, four rebounds, and two assists in 26 minutes off the bench.
It was the first meeting between both teams since four-time All-Star Trae Young was traded to the Washington Wizards.
The trade deadline is open for one more day, leaving the status of many players currently on the Heat's roster up in the air. The organization continues to make a push for Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo.
However, Jaquez Jr. understands it's just business.
"It's the modern NBA," he added. "It's just the way it is. Whoever we got out there, we take the approach that we always have whatever it takes to win."
The next time the Heat step on the court, on Friday against the Boston Celtics, the trade deadline will have officially passed. Perhaps the dark cloud of rumors and reports could uplift the team's production, knowing who's certainly on the roster moving forward.
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