Small-ball approach proving invaluable for the Miami Heat

As winners of seven of their past 10 games, the Miami Heat embracing the small-ball era has been a large component of their resurgence.

It may have taken some time, but the Miami Heat appear to have found themselves this NBA season. Currently 20-17 and placed seventh in the vastly improved Eastern Conference, much was expected of the Heat following their swashbuckling 30-11 finish to last season.

But after some early hiccups, both via form and injury, the Heat are gradually finding their feet. Having stumbled out of the blocks to a 13-14 record, the Heat have now won seven of their past 10 games, with their style of play becoming increasingly impressive.

With center Hassan Whiteside having already missed 18 games this season due to injury, and other key pieces such as Goran Dragic, Dion Waiters and James Johnson also missing time, head coach Erik Spoelstra and his staff have therefore had to experiment with a multitude of different lineups.

So while the team has certainly struggled at times, these past 10 games has seen a noticeable lift in its production. With Whiteside sidelined so often, Spoelstra has had to lean on newcomers Kelly Olynyk and Bam Adebayo to fill in at the center spot.

But it’s been Olynyk in particular who has impressed as the season has progressed after signing a four-year, $50 million free-agent deal this past summer. As a legitimate stretch-5 with the ability to also play at the 4-spot, Olynyk unique combination of size, ball-handling and perimeter shooting provides the Heat with a distinct point of difference.

Never has that been more evident than over the past 10 games, where Olynyk has taken his game to a new level. Averaging 14.1 points, 7.4 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.4 steals in 29.8 minutes per game, Olynyk has had a couple of real breakthrough games. Not only did he score a career-high 32 points against his former team the Boston Celtics, he also impressed in posting 25 points and 13 rebounds in the Heat’s most recent win over the Detroit Pistons.

In addition to Olynyk, the Heat’s elite perimeter mob of shooters has been critical in their reemergence. Josh Richardson has been elite on the defensive end all season, but his efficiency on the offensive end has been instrumental. Over these past 10 games, Richardson has averaged a team-leading 19.2 points per game, while shooting at a 46.5 percent clip from 3-point range.

Another emerging performer has been Tyler Johnson, who has started a number of games in the absence of Dragic and Waiters. Over this 10-game span, Johnson has posted 14.1 points and 4.8 rebounds — a much improved production rate following a seriously slow start to the season.

Then there is Wayne Ellington, the player dubbed by Heat caller Eric Reid as “the man with the golden arm.” Enjoying undoubtedly his best stretch as a member of the Heat, Ellington has posted 13.0 points in 31.6 minutes per game during this stretch, including hitting at a 39.5 percent clip on 8.6 3-point attempts per game.

With these numbers in mind, it comes as no surprise when viewing the most effective lineups over the past 10 games.

• Four-man lineup: Adebayo – Ellington – T.Johnson – Olynyk (Net rating: +23.0)
• Three-man lineup: Ellington – T.Johnson – Richardson (Net rating: +13.6)
• Two-man lineup: Ellington – T.Johnson (Net rating: +6.4)

Possibly the most noticeable, and pleasing, aspect of those featured in these lines is that the top four paid players on the roster this season (Whiteside, Dragic, J.Johnson and Waiters) are not featured.

Considering the cream of the crop of the Heat have yet to fully hit their strides this season, this makes this recent resurgence, fuelled primarily by role players, all the more impressive.

With a tough month ahead, featuring just five of their next games at home, the Heat are soon going to need to need their marquee players to rise to the top.

Next: 2017-18 Week 12 NBA Power Rankings

Having said that, there’s no reason that their rediscovered grasping of the small-ball era can’t continue in its current manner.