Miami Heat vs Denver Nuggets Game Breakdown #10
Welcome to Simply Ballin's game breakdown of the Miami Heat. After each game, you will see my thoughts on the game, film breakdown, and other interesting bits that stood out to me.
Before we continue, I'm changing up the format of these breakdowns — the post will start with some quick thoughts on the game, followed by an offensive breakdown then a defensive breakdown.
I always welcome any feedback and criticism you have to make this even better for you.
Quick Thoughts
What a disappointing ending to the game.
I'm not going to debate much about what happened with Nikola Jokic and Markieff Morris, as this isn't the place for it. Both players were in a wrong — some more than the other, though — and both deserve some punishment for it.
What Morris did was a hard unnecessary foul, some may argue it was a dirty play; regardless, what Jokic did was excessive. Thankfully for everyone, it does seem like it didn't result in a serious injury.
Let's get back to basketball now.
For the second game in a row, the Heat's defense was nowhere near the level from the start of the season. It's more concerning, as the Denver Nuggets have been struggling on the offensive end all season long.
Per Cleaning the Glass, the Heat had a 123.3 defensive rating — second-worst of the season. It's even worst considering the context. The Nuggets have only had three games, including this one, that had an offensive rating of 110 or higher. They were even without Michael Porter Jr.
It was a poor game all around, as it wasn't just their defense that let them down. Yes, the Nuggets did have a solid defense heading into the game, but the Heat did just have one of their best offensive performances against a great defensive team.
Offensive Breakdown
Another game where the offense struggled. Per CTG, the Heat had a 102.2 offensive rating, good for the 32nd percentile — certainly not one of the worst, but still pretty bad.
The Heat were led by Jimmy Butler's 31 points on 67.9% true shooting. In the first half, almost half of the points came from Butler.
https://twitter.com/JohnJablonka_/status/1458091412759646214
This is what makes Butler so effective, especially with star players like Kyle Lowry and Bam Adebayo. Butler can get his own bucket from a post up or drive to the rim and finish or draw contact — fun fact! Butler scores 1.08 points per possession (PPP) on post-ups and 1.64 PPP on putbacks.
But what makes a great offensive player greater is how effective he can be off-ball. In the third and fourth clips, you can see how he times his cuts when the defense is sleeping and when the driver draws the defense. So far, he is scoring 1.18 PPP on cuts.
Apart from Butler, there weren't many other players scoring the ball. They did shoot the ball from deep relatively well, compared to some previous performances, but still have missed quality looks.
https://twitter.com/JohnJablonka_/status/1458093677457379334
These three plays stood out.
Both first and third plays are some of the most common ones I've noticed this season and it's a simple screen from PJ Tucker. The third clip in particular is the one I like the most — lets Butler go ahead and drive to the basket and once the defense collapses, a screen for the shooter in the corner for an easy kick.
Those are the type of looks that the Heat need to make. But got to give credit to the Nugget's offense when it comes to 3pt shooting — a third of their shots were considered contested.
Missing open looks wasn't the thing that hurt the Heat, though.
https://twitter.com/JohnJablonka_/status/1458096111156146183
The Nuggets had Jokic dropping deep on a pick-and-roll, and the Heat didn't take much advantage of it. You can see in the first clip, where immediately after the pick, it's a simple pocket pass for an open mid-range from Bam Adebayo — yet, he only finished the game with three field-goal attempts from outside the paint.
If the defense is dropping that much, the offense must get Adebayo the ball to take those mid-range shots. The Heat's offense has worked better when they get to their spots inside the arc and play inside-out. Yesterday, almost half of their attempts came from downtown.
There were also times where they missed guys on a roll for a lob — see the fourth clip.
Or the positioning is so cramped together that the player driving has nowhere to go — see the second clip.
Things that Caught My Eye:
Had an OReb% of 18.4% — lowest of the seasons
Those turnovers were deadly, as with Jokic's outlet passes, they can lead to easy transition points
Robinson going 4-8 from deep is a pleasant sight
Lowry needs to do better than 0-8 — if the ball is not dropping from deep, he has to find other ways to help like he previously did
Butler making 2-3 from deep was surprising
Defensive Breakdown
Their offense was bad, but their defense was worse. On Miami Heat UK Gameday, we all agreed that the defense would win the game, yet it was the complete opposite — it cost them the game.
And it was all because of Jokic.
There was no plan to stop him. He ended the game with a triple-double — 25 points on 10-14 shooting, 15 rebounds (4 offensive), and 10 assists. Because Jokic is that great offensively, he gathers a ton of extra defensive attention.
He needs to get doubled or have help ready to trap — and that could work with other big men, but not with big men who are also the best passing big men of all time.
https://twitter.com/JohnJablonka_/status/1458088096344461312
Like I've mentioned in the tweet, these passes are on point by Jokic. He is that good of a passer that he will see the open guy and make a pinpoint pass across the court.
Just look at the first clip. He's on the other side of the court with Butler on him and with help ready. So, what does he do? Waits for a cut on the opposite wing, see that Robinson tags the cutter and swings across to the corner.
Those are the passes that make him so great. In the fourth clip too, Adebayo defends him well in the opposite wing and as soon as he notices Lowry pre-rotating, that pass goes straight to the corner.
Not much you can do about that apart from trying your best to contest the shot. That extra help, pre-rotation is needed in case Jokic decides to score himself.
The problem yesterday was with the rest of the defensive miscommunications and bad rotations.
What's going on in the second clip? Why is Jokic alone in the middle of the court ready for a pass? And why is Butler helping off of the strong corner? Someone was also late helping on Jokic.
Another miscommunication in the third clip. Are the Heat switching that screen? Why was Herro staying with the ball handler?
There were a number of these miscommunications whether it was being late on help or switching that led to the Nuggets having 36 open or wide-open 3s.
They also got beat badly in the paint and mainly because of cuts.
https://twitter.com/JohnJablonka_/status/1458084289267044357
The Nuggets are a dangerous team when it comes to cutting, especially when they have Jokic finding them.
I don't know how the Heat got beat by the same play — that simple seal and slip by Jeff Green on a pick (second and fourth clip). That is just a lack of effort on the person guarding the screener. But another problem is the late help. Green is already attacking with the ball before the help comes.
It was a poor effort on the defensive end.
Things that Caught My Eye:
The Nuggets had a 33.3% OReb%
Only had nine turnovers
Will Barton is the first #RSHK to beat them — how do you let a guy go 7-9 from deep
Poor rotations leading to too many open shots