10. Josh Richardson’s 19 points vs. the Cleveland Cavaliers (Apr. 10)
Final stat line:
- Minutes: 46
- Field goals: 8-14
- Free-throws: 1-1
- Three-point shooting: 2-6
- Points: 19
- Rebounds: 6
- Assists: 4
- Steals: 5
- Blocks: 1
- Turnovers: 2
It’s rare to find guards who can impact games on the defensive end like Richardson can. Though his 2016-17 campaign was almost a lost cause (missed 30 games due to injury), Miami’s backup 2-guard still found a way to contribute late in the season.
Apr. 10 against the Cleveland Cavaliers was arguably the Heat’s most important outing of the year. A loss would have knocked them out of the playoff race with another game left to play.
Even worse, their demise would have come at the hands of the Cavs’ B-Team, since LeBron James and Kyrie Irving got the night off to rest. What was almost utter humiliation (thankfully) didn’t come to fruition, because Richardson didn’t allow it to.
Clutch shots, ravenous defense and timely rebounds from the second-year guard helped the Heat seal a vital win. And it was just one of many impressive performances he had to close the season. Over the final six games of the year, Richardson averaged 15.0 points, 3.2 rebounds and 3.3 assists, as well as 2.3 steals and 1.5 blocks, on .464/.531/.900 percent shooting splits. That’ll do.
Whether it be as a starter or key reserve, I predict a huge 2017-18 campaign for the Heat’s young shooting guard.