As the Miami Heat work to find their proper pace at the start of this season, Saturday night’s 114-106 road victory over the Charlotte Hornets offered insight into the reality that it is not a case of one speed fits all.
For forward Jimmy Butler, it was a matter of slowing down, especially when the result of what turned into the Heat’s first victory was in the balance.
For guard Tyler Herro, it was a decision to remain at speed, his energy helping to push the Heat over the top three nights after the entire team appeared out of sorts in the season-opening 116-97 loss to the Orlando Magic at Kaseya Center.
Saturday, Butler not only led the way with 26 points, but helped put it away with 13 fourth-quarter points.
The key to Butler’s effort were 13 fourth-quarter points, his overall effort fueled by 17 attempts from the line.
“That’s such a great lesson for all the players in this league,” coach Erik Spoelstra said, “but especially our guys, our young guys – efficiency, you can stem the tide of a run on the road by getting to the free-throw line. You just take away so much momentum.
“And he’s patient, knowing how to attack, how to get in the paint, how to draw fouls. He used the physicality to get to where he wants to, but also to make the right plays, to find guys at the right moments.”
Which was a decided difference from the Wednesday night’s opener, when Butler appeared willing to settle for the pace-and-space game installed during the preseason, one that does not necessarily fit his game, one that left him with only three points on 1-of-8 shooting in that loss.
“I always remember who we are and what’s got us to this point,” Butler said of getting back to his game. “And that’s what’s going to help us win games, as long as we continue to do who we are as a basketball player, I think the squad, I think the coaches, the whole organization definitely believes in us.”
Still, for all the trips to the line, Butler hardly was pleased by his 11 of 17.
“I wish I would have made all of ’em,” he said. “But I’ve got some work to do, so back to the line for me.”
Then there was Herro, who provided the energy to close it out, his 22-point effort including a pair of key fourth-quarter 3-pointers.
To Spoelstra, the pace-and-space game has found a perfect example of execution in Herro.
“Pace is not just 94 feet or a fastbreak, which Tyler gives you that,” Spoelstra said. “But it’s pace and movement, the nonstop activity offensively. Tyler’s been very intentional about moving without the ball, but also being really assertive on his catches. I thought some of his drives were great, straight-line drives, made some great plays.”
Herro finished 3 of 7 on 3-pointers, with Spoelstra seeking even more.
“He’s such an amazing shooter, I’d like to see him get double digits every game, especially halfcourt-execution threes,” Spoelstra said. “He’s too good of a shooter to leave some of those on the table.
“But he’s really matured – his decision making, his strength, you can see it. All of that stuff, he’s continuing to get better.”
Herro also utilized his speed on the defensive end.
“Just continuing to build good habits,” he said. “We want to keep starting off our games on the defensive end, continuing to be disruptive, force turnovers. The last two days after Wednesday’s home opener in Miami, we really watched film, we practiced to make sure tonight wasn’t the same thing.”
Rozier’s return
In his first game back in Charlotte since being acquired from the Hornets last January, guard Terry Rozier closed with 19 points Saturday, including a 3-pointer with 34.5 seconds remaining to seal the victory.
“It’s super special,” Rozier said of winning in his return. “I told them earlier after shootaround, ‘We’re about to get this win tonight.’ But it’s always good to win, especially at your old stomping grounds.”
Spoelstra said Rozier approached the night the right way.
“It meant a lot for him, and we wanted to acknowledge that,” Spoelstra said. “He had some great years here. That’s why we respected him so much. He was kind of a Heat-killer in those games. And it’s always good to see somebody play well and get the win on their former homecourt.
“But he did it within the context of what was going to impact winning. He wasn’t pressing. He wasn’t trying to do too much. That was a big three.”