Miami Heat: 3 bold predictions for 2018-19 NBA season
By Simon Smith
3. Wayne Ellington hits 10 triples in a game
In his two seasons with the Heat, “The Man with the Golden Arm” has simply gone from strength to strength when considering his career trajectory prior to arriving with the Heat. Having played on six teams in his first seven seasons, the Heat culture has served Ellington as well as anyone in recent memory.
Despite turning 30 last season, Ellington recorded several career-best returns, including averaging 11.2 points in 26.5 minutes per game. However, it’s his 3-point shooting that gains the most attention, and where his value to the Heat is clearly the greatest.
Last season, Ellington finished sixth in the league with 227 triples, easily eclipsing his 149 made the season prior. Having hit seven triples or more just twice in 516 career games prior to this season, Ellington did this on four occasions last season, including a career-high eight in two separate performances.
https://twitter.com/MiamiHEAT/status/984276325325332480
Entering this season, the big question is whether the former North Carolina star can take the next step and hit double figures in a single game for 3-pointers made. Last season, only Stephen Curry and Kemba Walker were able to perform this feat. In fact, it’s happened just 34 times since 1993, with Curry accounting for nine of these performances. Over these nine games, Curry averaged 15.4 attempts per game to perform this feat.
Therefore, it’s going to require a combination getting off enough shots while simultaneously getting red-hot for Ellington to hit this elusive target.