Jaime Jaquez Jr. ignites the Miami Heat's bench with clutch scoring and playmaking, powering their win streak and solidifying his Sixth Man of the Year candidacy.
The Miami Heat appear to have found a flow recently, especially after a 121–110 victory over the Detroit Pistons, who have the best record in the Eastern Conference. They’re currently riding a five-game win streak, which is tied for the second-best in the league, alongside the Oklahoma City Thunder. One of the factors in the latest success has been Jaime Jaquez Jr.
In the last five games, the 25-year-old is averaging 18.4 points on 50.8 percent shooting, 53.8 percent from three-point range, 4.6 rebounds, and five assists in 29.1 minutes off the bench. He’ll likely be in the running for the Sixth Man of the Year award, but the third-year forward believes winning will impact the results, rather than individual statistics.
“It’s really just winning games,” Jaquez Jr. said on Sunday. “We were on a losing streak and then no one’s talking. You win a couple of games, you’re back in the conversation. Like I’ve said from the beginning, it’s all about winning. Everybody gets what they want.”
The last Heat player to win the Sixth Man of the Year award was Tyler Herro after the 2021-22 regular season. He averaged 20.7 points on 44.7 percent shooting, 39.9 percent from three-point range, five rebounds, and four assists in 32.6 minutes off the bench. The team finished first in the Eastern Conference standings, which boosted his case.
Jaquez Jr. is bouncing back after experiencing a “sophomore slump.” He had difficulties adjusting to defenses and got knocked out of the rotation in certain games, especially in the playoffs. The 25-year-old averages the most points in the paint among reserves, 10.1 in 60 games.
The Heat trusted Jaquez Jr. right away, who was the 18th pick in the 2023 draft class. He made an immediate impact, whether as a starter or off the bench. At the start of the second, Jaquez Jr. talked about being a leader for the second unit. He leads in points and assists among reserves on the team.
They currently sit with a 36-29 record, seventh in the Eastern Conference standings. As the Heat make a late–season attempt to climb out of the Play-In Tournament, Jaquez Jr’s production will be a key factor. He’s provided stability off the bench and scoring, which is needed with All-Star guard Norman Powell missing the last five games due to a right groin strain.
As Herro continues to find a flow after missing extended periods of the regular season, the Heat are looking to make noise.
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