As the Miami Heat seek to get their season back to its original trajectory, Nikola Jovic continues to show what he's capable of, but needs to find that consistency.
The Miami Heat's season has found new life after securing back-to-back victories against the Atlanta Hawks on the road, with a final score of 126-111, and then the Indiana Pacers at home, 142-116. After losing nine out of their previous 11 games, the team's resurgence comes with the return of key rotation players in Pelle Larsson and Nikola Jovic.
The Serbian forward dealt a right elbow contusion/laceration after a terrifying fall on Monday night, Dec. 15th, against the Toronto Raptors. After going for a fastbreak dunk, he would land on his arm awkwardly. However, Jovic avoided any serious injury, such as broken bones.
The former first-round pick was sidelined for the following four games, then was clear to play against the Hawks on Friday night, Dec. 26th. He finished with 10 points, seven rebounds, four assists, and a steal, but was extremely inefficient: shooting 21.4 percent from the field, 16.7 percent from three-point range in 21 minutes. It was his first time on the court in nearly two weeks, but Jovic proved to have shaken off the rust the following night.
The 22-year-old finished with 19 points, including three three-pointers made, seven rebounds, seven assists, and two steals on much better shooting splits: 50 percent from the field, 37.5 percent from behind the arc in 25 minutes. Jovic made a couple of three-pointers in the fourth quarter, which helped the Heat pull away and finish dominantly against the Pacers. He played good minutes at the center position and didn't back down from the challenge.
The 6'10 prospect has shown reluctance in the past to play as the man in the middle, but especially when All-Star Bam Adebayo is sidelined, there's a new sense of embrace from within. Jovic has shown flashes of his capabilities and talents since entering the league in 2022; the only issue has been doing it consistently.
"We've felt this all along," Erik Spoelstra said following the victory against the Pacers. "It's just been an uneven start to this season for whatever reason. It doesn't matter, we're here. We know how important [Jovic] can be and how different we can look when he's playing that style of basketball. He definitely has to clean up some of the footwork. I want him being aggressive, particularly in transition. That gets us out to a different place."
The Heat have shown faith in the European star through thick and thin, so much so that the organization extended him to a four-year, $62.4 million contract this past summer. There are certainly expectations that come with that level of financial commitment. Jovic hasn't met them yet, but his potential needs to be on display on an everyday basis, to the point that it becomes the new normal.
Earlier this season, on Nov. 8th, he recorded a new career-high in points with 29, including three three-pointers made, nine rebounds, six assists, two steals, and a block in 31 minutes. Those types of performances are great, but not necessary. However, that level of impact is what can make Jovic great.
The Heat will face the Denver Nuggets on Monday night, Dec. 29th, at home, 7:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Jovic is listed as "available" on the injury report. It will be another opportunity for him to leave an imprint on the game.
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