Miami Heat: 3 big questions following 2019 NBA All-Star break
By Simon Smith
2. Can Dion Waiters continue his recent form?
One bright spot to emerge from the Heat’s recent road trip was the form of shooting guard Dion Waiters. Following the trade that sent away guards Tyler Johnson and Wayne Ellington, Waiters was thrust into the starting lineup for the final four games of the trip.
During his four-game stretch as a starter, Waiters averaged 16.8 points and 3.8 assists in 33.4 minutes per game. Most notably, he shot at a 44.4 percent clip from 3-point range on 9.0 attempts per game. While this form is highly encouraging, it’s not the first time Waiters has impressed while wearing a Heat uniform.
During a 21-game stretch that formed part of the Heat’s 30-11 finish to the 2016-17 season, Waiters averaged 19.6 points and 5.1 assists a night as he and Goran Dragic developed a lethal partnership in the backcourt. However, after being rewarded with a four-year, $50 million deal, Waiters has been unable to hold up his end of the bargain, completing just 30 games last season due to season-ending ankle surgery.
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As a result, Waiters also missed the first 35 games of this season, such was the extent of the injury. However, with 18 games now under his belt, the time is right for Waiters to reward the Heat by demonstrating the form he exhibited in his first season in South Beach.
Given the Heat’s need for offense, and the clear point of difference he has to offer, Waiters presents as a genuine key piece over the Heat’s final 26 games.