Miami Heat vs Los Angeles Clippers Game #65 Notes
Heat-Clippers film notes: Harden ISOs, Bogdan cooking everyone, a lot of Wiggins on offense, PNR offense struggling
Welcome to my game notes. A simple, basic idea where I’ll be sharing my notes from each Heat game. It will be going through the game in a chronological order, going through anything that stood out to me, whether it’s actions, themes, adjustments or anything fun — if you have followed me on Twitter, it’s basically what my old game threads used to be. Each quarter will have the video accompanied at the beginning that include all of the notes, and additional clips throughout to highlight those individual plays. It’s to allow me to nerd out focusing on the Xs and Os more freely.
Offense
1st Quarter
11:45 — Already not a fan of this first poss taking forever to get into a late clock Wiggins-Bam PNR. Zubac in drop, tag on Bam, Batum helping off Ware and Wiggins force a float over 2
11:35 — Off a rebound, Herro attacking a closeout and is getting to that floater. That is going to be a shot he’s going to get a lot
11:00 — Herr-Ware PNR but with Batum on Ware, it’s a hard show + blitz but then Zubac helps off Bam to take the short roll and advantage is gone. Ware forces up a tough shot
10:23 — Another not great poss for Wiggins. Starts off with Wiggins-Bam PNR with Zubac dropping a lot. Wiggins attacking off catch but Zubac peel switched and forces a tough shot
9:50 — Herro-Wiggins-Bam PNR to get Harden on the switch then into Bam PNR. Drive goes for the floater again vs Zubac drop
9:15 — Wiggins-Bam PNR rescreen to force Zubac stepping up and it’s a Bam short roll kick to Davion for 3pt
8:25 — Wiggins-Bam PNR with Dunn icing it and it’s a drive but a TOV
Wiggins had a few drives ending in a bad TOV
7:55 — Wiggins-Bam corner PNR with Dunn looking to ice again. Manages to get the rescreen. Zubac and Batum just sink down and leave Bam wide open for 3pt
7:15 — Davion hub with Herro off screen but Dunn is playing great defense denying Herro. This whole possession was great from the Clippers
6:35 — SIGHH. Herro with his typical transition 3pt
6:10 — What a bad possession with just Wiggins holding the ball waiting for a PNR but it takes forever
6:03 — Wiggins Ware PNR. Bogdan ices it and it’s Ware on the short roll but a bad decision on the pass TOV
5:30 — Wiggins ISO post vs Bogdan doesn’t do a lot and just backs him down to the paint with help showing. No advantage. Ends with Herro late ISO vs Harden and once again goes for the floater
With the way the Clippers defend, that floater is just always there for Herro
Zubac has been “really” dropping in every PNR
3:52 — Another Wiggins drive that ends in a TOV. Simply loses the handle
The Clippers defense has been annoying too
3:33 — Herro hub with Bam off Duncan screen into elbow hub. No advantage flows into Herro-Bam handoff and another late drive for a tough floater
3:00 — Herro-Bam drag screen PNR. I love the decision to quickly reject and forces help from strong side corner for a Haywood 3pt. Harden looked like he was going to Ice it
2:26 — Herro seeing some show from Eubanks
1:52 — Solid off catch drive from Rozier to get to the rim in early offense
1:00 — You really can’t relax off of Duncan. The split second you relax, he’s already looking to run into another action
0:05 — Herro looking to bait the foul with the rip through, doesn’t get it
2nd Quarter
11:32 — JJJ confused as to what he should do. Should he screen? Cut? Bam is directing him and then Pelle. Doesn’t know what action they’re looking to run
11:05 — Rozier pushing pace and gets another layup. For Rozier, there needs to be more pushing pace
10:32 — DJJ is absolutely glued to Duncan. Also, Zubac is sitting in the paint off of Bam
10:10 — Rozier-Bam empty PNR with Dunn icing and Zubac in a DEEP drop. Bam has the pop but doesn’t take it and immediately looks to get Duncan involved in the handoff vs Zubac drop
Coffey on Duncan hasn’t been good for the defense. He’s been getting free
9:38 — Good read from Rozier to quickly push pace and make the pass ahead
9:19 — Transition off a Pelle steal gets to the line
9:00 — Bam quickly brings ball and looks to attack Zubac backpedaling but tries to bait a foul and doesn’t get it
8:40 — Zubac on JJJ helping off the corner. JJJ lifts and gets a wide open 3pt. Rozier-Bam PNR but with Batum on Bam, it’s a switch
8:02 — JJJ hub with Duncan off screen vs Batum. That’s a clean look and Zubac is again in a deep drop in the paint
Outside of DJJ, Duncan has had space
7:52 — This is just PERFECT from Pelle on that hustle and ends with a transition Rozier 3pt
7:16 — Bam off JJJ screen but Zubac just switches that. Bam vs Batum is just looking for handoffs. Zubac helping off and ignoring JJJ completely
6:25 — Bam hub but Zubac is sagging off and giving all of that space. Duncan-Bam PNR ice with no drives or paint open. Good decision on the skip and Pelle with a great off catch drive dumpoff to Bam for a kick. I liked this
5:50 — Ware hub looking for Wiggins off screen but good switching to take that away
Wiggins has been feeling confident in that off-dribble 3pt
5:15 — Wiggins-Ware-Herro Spain PNR. Zubac soft show no advantage at all with the defense recovering. Herro tries to attack Dunn 1v1 but just picked up the dribble early and no advantage
4:20 — Herro-Ware PNR drive baseline but into 2 people on that side. Harden isn’t respecting Wiggins at all. Dunn with solid defense again on Herro’s drive
3:40 — Wiggins-Ware PNR. Harden ices it and Zubac sitting in the paint no advantage with Harden getting back. I like the Ware confidence in that push shot
3:03 — Great read from Ware on the Wiggins backcut. Clippers are switching some of the off ball stuff and that’s a great cut from Wiggins
2:26 — Herro again pushing pace and gets into Ware PNR and again rejects it will. Has the open drive to the rim
1:40 — Herro-Duncan PNR gets Coffey on switch then Bam PNR. Harden tagging off Wiggins but doesn’t look to shoot. Wiggins with his 3rd TOV on the drive
0:44 — Not sure if I like this Herro-Duncan-Bam PNR look. Just goes for a tough, contested floater for no reason. He didn’t have to go for that
0:20 — Awful possession with just Wiggins pounding the hell out of the ball for a simple ISO 3pt
3rd Quarter
11:11 — Wiggins ISO vs Harden with the side cleared and just goes for the long 2pt stepback
10:40 — Bam handoff hub with Zubac just sagging off in the paint and finally decides to go for the pull up
9:51 — Davion hub. Herro quick off screen. These are the looks that you have to make with Zubac deep in the paint and Dunn trailing. That’s a good, open look
9:20 — Bam hub. Wiggins good off screen into handoff to get downhill vs Zubac inside. Good move too to get to the rim
8:53 — Herro-Bam quick PNR. Ice and Herro quickly recognises the skip to Haywood for 3pt
8:30 — Wiggins ISO post vs Bogdan. Side cleared and no help comes but slightly showing. Backs down and manages to get to the rim
7:50 — Herro-Bam empty PNR with Dunn icing. It’s a tough look for Herro going to the paint for that floater. But that’s also solid PNR def for Clippers. No drives, no rolls and no skips
Clippers taking away the PNR has been a thing in the last game too
6:55 — Herro-Bam PNR. Ice and it’s another attack vs Drop with DJJ trailing. Herro ends up getting to his spot for that floater. I liked the patience from him
6:30 — Herro-Bam handoff PNR. DJJ is fighting for his life going over those screens. Re screen and that forces Zubac to go higher. I love the split from Herro. Timed that well and gets through it but Harden helping off Davion very early and that made Herro pick up the dribble. Goes for a far floater
6:00 — Davion with a great burst but smokes a layup
We haven’t seen much of Davion handling the ball
5:22 — Bam ISO post vs Zubac side cleared but Bogdan coming to help off Davion. Gets deep to the rim but throws up a poor shot
4:30 — Transition. Herro cut to the rim
4:05 — Davion-Ware PNR draws Zubac higher up and Coffey recovers no advantages at all
3:55 — I loved this from Herro. Gets into the handoff from Pelle and that is a crafty layup but draws a foul
3:30 — Davion-Ware PNR Harden ices it and just goes for a tough shot over Zubac but he does have the burst
3:14 — Wiggins really does love that 3pt. He also looks confident
2:30 — Herro-Duncan-Ware Spain PNR drawing a soft blitz and picks up the dribble early next to the sideline but swings for Duncan 3pt
This is the first time we see Herro draw that kind of coverage
1:53 — Herro Ware-Duncan Spain PNR. Harder blitz but this time with Eubanks. Great patience and finds Ware cutting
0:58 — Wiggins-Ware PNR reject but gets stripped again on the drive
0:45 — Herro-Duncan Ghost PNR with Ware looking to set a flare for Duncan. Herro drives and Eubanks peel switched off Ware
4th Quarter
11:50 — Rozier hub. Basically floppy for Duncan coming off the pindown for a quick 3pt. Coffey is chasing him and he doesn’t do a good job. Gets a clean look
11:18 — Duncan-Ware PNR. Drawing 2 with Eubanks → quick pass to Ware on the short roll. I liked this from Ware spinning into space and finding Herro on the baseline cut
Ware does have good flashes of playmaking when given that opportunity
10:40 — Rozier hub. Duncan off screen but DJJ switches and stays attached. I don’t like the shot from Herro again off the catch. Goes for the floater that’s contested AGAIN
10:10 — Herro hub. Bam off Duncan screen into elbow hub. Duncan screening Herro no advantage. Herro-Bam handoff. He rejects it and makes the quick swing to Haywood for 3pt strong corner
9:32 — Don’t like this possession with just Duncan looking to handle. But I LOVE the ending. This was great blind pig action with Bam and Herro. DJJ keeps on denying everyone, so Herro timely backcuts
9:00 — Rozier-Herro-Bam PNR gets the switch then over. Pocket pass to Bam in the empty corner but help early off Haywood from Bogdan forces Bam to go for the floater
I think this is the first time Bam got the pass on the roll
8:35 — Herro-Haywood PNR. Switch, slip, draws a tag and one of the worst shots from Rozier. An open look turning into a side step contested 3pt
8:03 — Herro-Bam-Ducnan Spain PNR with Duncan quickly ghosting out. Herro-Bam PNR draws Zubac higher up. Pocket pass to Bam and it’s a short roll read to Pelle but a poor pass makes it a contested
I haven’t been a fan of Bam’s passing not being on point
7:30 — Herro-Bam quick PNR. Zubac in deep drop then finds Pelle baseline cut. Bogdan ball watching
6:25 — Wiggins hub with Duncan screening Bam into a Wiggins PNR then Zubac is out of position and it’s a downhill drive from Wiggins. Loved this
4:40 — Herro-Bam-Duncan horns PNR. Draws 2 again with Zubac showing hard. Bam on the short roll and it’s another poor pass TOV
4:08 — Bam brings ball and quickly flows into a handoff with Duncan. Zubac in a DEEP drop so wide open 3pt. Coffey trailing
Coffey has trailed Duncan so many times
3:40 — Herro-Wiggins-Bam horns PNR. Defense switches and Wiggins has the slip, roll, kick → Pelle 3pt
3:02 — Not sure why Wiggins thought going to a hook over Zubac was good in early offense
2:40 — Herro-Bam-Wiggins horns PNR. Into Bam PNR Zubac shows higher up. Open pocket pass to Bam and hesitates doesn’t know what to do and advantage gone. Duncan able to move well without the ball to flow into a handoff. Batum was sleeping
1:55 — Bam brings ball and just dribbles around as a hub looking for nothing
Defense
1st Quarter
11:20 — Harden Dunn PNR gets Herro on the switch then double comes from Davion → open swing to Bogdan 3pt
10:45 — Bogdan Batum PNR with Ware switching. Ware was on Bogdan the whole poss and forced a leaning long 2pt
10:06 — Harden ISO vs Wiggins gets a step on him to the paint and look to bait a foul. ORB given up with Bam not in position to box out
9:30 — Harden ISO vs Davion. Whole side cleared with no help at all. Gets an easy look to the rim
8:50 — Bogdan Zubac PNR. Wiggins dying on the screen badly and it forces a switch
8:40 — Harden ISO vs Davion. Late clock, no help comes → stepback 3pt and a foul
8:15 — Harden Bogdan PNR. Gets Herro on the switch. No strong double comes but Davion is showing STRONG help and just stunting. Harden gets the stepback
7:38 — Harden ISO vs Wiggins. Davion showing strong help and stunts. Gets the drive but good defense from Wiggins and forces a jump ball
6:25 — Harden Dunn PNR gets Herro on the switch then Zubac PNR and Herro trails foul
5:45 — Zubac ISO vs Ware. Just easily gets by him with a spin
5:15 — First time going into a zone. Ball swinging and Batum gets an open look
4:45 — Another zone. Similar thing. It’s a swing with the defense all shifting and it’s another open corner Batum 3pt. Ware not boxing out Zubac → open putback
4:08 — Zone. Wiggins showing strong help at the nail and Bogdan gets the drive off the catch. That draws the shift in defense and open lob to DJJ
3:44 — Bogdan with another drive vs Haywood → draws defense and open dumpoff
3:10 — Harden cross matched with Duncan. Herro comes to double. DJJ flash cut into a kick Coffey 3pt
2:45 — Harden ISO vs Haywood. Just a quick stepback 3pt
2:07 — Harden-Coffey PNR. Gets Herro on the show then swing → Coffey off catch drive
1:40 — Harden-Eubanks PNR. Haywood trailing badly and it’s an open lob
1:15 — Same thing Harden-Eubanks PNR with Haywood trailing but this time, Bam reads it perfectly. Stops the drive and then gets the lob
0:38 — Harden ISO vs Haywood. Easy drive and it’s a blow by. Haywood reaches foul
0:33 — Harden ISO vs Herro. Gets doubled in the corner then again seeing help on the break
2nd Quarter
12:00 — Starting the 2nd with a full court press. Dunn ISO vs JJJ gets to his spot for a clean look
10:20 — poor getting back on defense from Bam and doesn’t know who he’s matched with → open swing Batum 3pt
9:23 — Bam fronting Zubac and fouls
9:20 — Great front from Pelle vs Zubac and gets the steal
9:10 — Great activity from Pelle showing his hands everywhere then helps on the drive by stunting and recovers to Dunn on the closeout
8:50 — Dunn again getting to his spot with ease. This time against Rozier
8:17 — Solid defense from Pelle on Dunn on the drive. Zubac ends up getting a good hook over Bam. Just too small to contest
7:30 — Zubac ISO post drawing defense then puts them in rotations. Batum gets a look off but that was fast recognition from Pelle
6:50 — Pelle on Harden. Heat in some kind of zone. Ends in Harden ISO drive vs Rozier. Easily gets a step into the paint for the floater
6:05 — Poor defense getting back with the cross match with Zubac vs Duncan. Not sure why Bam didn’t take that
4:34 — Awful transition defense. Ware not back and lets Zubac beat him for the rim run
4:00 — Harden quick ISO vs Wiggins. Easily gets a step and blows by. Open dumpoff then Ware gives up a ORB + putback
Ware has struggled on defense with just the little stuff
3:20 — Harden ISO vs Pelle on the side cleared. Easily blows by and there’s no rotation from, so layup
2:44 — Harden gets Pelle on the switch then Rozier looked to double. Gets it back again and Harden just goes for the stepback 3pt
2:07 — Zubac vs Ware. Great recognition from Pelle to help and double. Forces a TOV
1:50 — Bogdan Zubac PNR vs Pelle under. Has the drive and draws a foul
1:24 — Harden hunts Duncan on switch. No help coming but Pelle showing. Late double comes and perfect passing lane defense from Herro
1:00 — Harden vs Pelle goes to Zubac PNR. Gets hit on the screen but goes under and recovers. Forces a tough 15fter
I liked the effort from Pelle on defense a lot
0:35 — Perfect hustle and defense from Wiggins in transition to stop the Harden drive
0:5 — Bogdan Zubac PNR. Pelle looking to go under and over to recover. Bam again blows up the lob
3rd Quarter
11:46 — Harden ISO vs Haywood. Side cleared and easy cross drive, blow by but smokes the layup. Bam late help. Doesn’t even see it
11:30 — Quick Bogdan Dunn handoff and Wiggins goes under open 3pt
10:55 — Bogdan Zubac PNR. Wiggins looks to stay attached but gets beat on the drive to the rim
9:40 — Bogdan Zubac PNR vs Herro. He trails and Bogdan patient in the paint. Goes to work has the open pass Zubac rolling. Bam is caught nowhere
9:10 — Bogdan-Zubac PNR starting off ball. Wiggins trailing and lets him turn corner slightly. Opens up Zubac on the roll and gets a clean hook
Bogdan been cooking everyone
8:40 — Harden with a quick ISO vs Herro cross match. Just splits the defense as help comes and gets a floater + ORB tip in
8:10 — Bam fronting Zubac again and struggling to feed him
8:00 — Bogdan ISO post vs Pelle. Solid defense on the backdown forces a fade
7:30 — Great defense from Herro on the Dunn drive. Physical and strips him in the paint
7:10 — Harden looking for Pelle in ISO. Davion comes to double → swing → Bogdan beats Wiggins off dribble and draws foul. That’s poor defense
6:40 — Harden quick PNR gets Herro on the switch and before the help comes, he gets a stepback 3pt
6:20 — Poor cross match. Harden ISO vs Herro trailing. Easily blows by draws defense and kick to DJJ strong corner 3pt
A lot of hunting going on
5:50 — Poor cross match with Davion on Zubac but then Wiggins quick recognition kicks him out. I also feel like this possession, Bam could’ve switched with Herro as the low man to be on Zubac. Ends in a Harden ISO vs Pelle → easy blow by and Zubac has all the advantage once Wiggins helped
5:07 — Bogdan Zubac PNR. Pelle fighting over screens and not giving up anything. Help is also strong from Davion on the elbow → open kick Harden CS 3pt
4:36 — Bogdan-Zubac PNR. Wiggins trailing but recovers and Bam is in the way. Forces a TOV
4:20 — Poor off ball defense from Herro. Got caught trailing DJJ on the pindown. Wiggins with late help too. That split second reaction time is a foul
3:42 — They go to the same play but this time Herro goes under DJJ and no advantage there. Go into Zubac ISO post vs Ware instead. Backs down for a hook
2:41 — More feeding Zubac ISO post vs Ware. Not sure what that was from Ware trying to front him badly. Gives up the spin and dunk + foul
Ware has been BAD on defense vs Zubac
2:08 — Pelle full court pressure vs Harden. ISO drive beats him off dribble and foul. Too in his body
1:12 — Harden Coffey PNR gets Herro on the switch. Pelle showing help and open swing → Coffey beats the closeout to the paint
0:13 — Harden Eubanks PNR. Wiggins trailing. Just late reaction to the screen coming. Harden gets the drive. Pelle showing help but no reaction on the closeout → open Coffey 3pt
4th Quarter
11:40 — Miller vs Rozier ISO. Just a very easy blow by and Ware doesn’t help either. Layup
11:00 — Zone. Good def for the most part until the late clock. Eubanks gets the ball inside and has an open hook over Ware
9:20 — Full court press and somehow giving up a corner 3pt. Rozier gets beat and that forces Herro to step up
8:45 — Bogan Eubanks handoff. Haywood trailing off ball first and then on the screen. Gets a floater
7:42 — Bogdan-Zubac PNR. Pelle on him goes under twice then over the third time and it’s a pull up from elbow vs Bam in drop. Not mad at that
7:14 — Zubac hub into Bogdan handoff. Pelle fights over but creates separation on the stepback → another elbow shot
6:40 — Bogdan off ball into a Zubac PNR. Pelle is hustling to get back but gets caught on the on ball screen → it’s a pull up 3pt this time vs Bam drop. That’s open space
6:02 — Great Bam front vs Zubac and then ends up getting the pass
5:40 — Bogdan off screen into a PNR. Bam is now blitzing him hard. Zubac short roll → kick, swing open Coffey 3pt. Help did come early in the paint on the roll. But that was on Wiggins being too close to the roll
4:55 — Bogdan Zubac PNR. Bam again hard blitz to force it out of his hands. Duncan tags Zubac and recovers well on Batum. Great possession
4:25 — Pelle has been so active with his rotations and closeouts. HE is always the first one to rotate and attempt to closeout. There’s hustle every time