Miami Heat: 5 predictions for 2019-20 NBA season

MIAMI, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 08: Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Heat looks on during the game against the San Antonio Spurs during the first half of the preseason game at American Airlines Arena on October 08, 2019 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 08: Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Heat looks on during the game against the San Antonio Spurs during the first half of the preseason game at American Airlines Arena on October 08, 2019 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 6
Next
Miami Heat
(Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /

3. Heat ramp-up their transition game

Considering Miami’s struggles at the offensive end of the floor last season, making things easier seems like a logical move. One area in which the Heat can improve dramatically is their ability to hurt the opposition in transition.

Last season, the Heat ranked 27th overall by producing just 14.7 points per game in transition opportunities. And while the departed duo of Dwyane Wade and Josh Richardson were among the leaders for the team in that area, the makeup of the team entering this season has a decidedly different feel.

With the insertion of Justice Winslow at the point and Bam Adebayo at the center spot, the versatility of the Heat at the defensive end of the floor is sure to be substantially increased. But most importantly, the addition of Jimmy Butler provides the Heat not only with an elite perimeter defender, but someone who can also finish excellently in transition.

Through the first two preseason games, the Heat’s activity at the defensive end has been evident. Averaging 9.5 steals per game, up from 7.6 per game last season, others such as Derrick Jones Jr. in the above clip have demonstrated great prowess in this area.

Kendrick Nunn, in particular, has stood out, with his three steals and five deflections, both a team-high, in the win over the Hornets. The Heat’s 20 deflections recorded against the Hornets was well above their 13.8 per game average of last season.

In terms of transitioning from defense to offense, few do it better than Butler. Over the past few seasons, here’s where Butler has ranked among all players in transition points per possession who’ve appeared in at least 50 games while averaging at least 2.0 transition possessions per game:

Jimmy Butler transition points per possession 

  • 2016-17: 1.44 PPP (1st)
  • 2017-18: 1.40 PPP (1st)
  • 2018-19: 1.23 PPP (12th)

With these additional options on the roster this year and the signs shown by some of these players through the early preseason schedule, expect the Heat to look for some easier buckets in transition as the season progresses.