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Andrew Wiggins’ Hot Streak Gives Miami Heat A Real Shot At Winning
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- Andrew Wiggins’ Hot Streak Gives Miami Heat A Real Shot At Winning
Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
The Miami Heat finally broke their losing streak on Wednesday night, but the real story isn't just the win itself. It is whether Andrew Wiggins can keep playing like the man who scored 18 points against the Atlanta Hawks. Heat fans better hope this awakening lasts, because the team simply cannot survive on just two stars all season long. Per All U Can Heat , Wiggins went 6-for-9 from the field and hit 4-of-7 from deep, showing an offensive efficiency that has been missing for weeks. That kind of shooting is exactly what Miami needed to stop the bleeding after a brutal 0-4 start.
The math changes when Wiggins shoots
Through the first four games, Wiggins averaged just nine points while shooting a terrible 12 percent from three-point range. Those numbers were a major reason why so many people doubted the Heat's offense before the season even began. But Wednesday night looked like a completely different player, one who averaged 15 points and hit 41 percent of his threes last year according to All U Can Heat. If he can stay near that level, the team's ceiling rises instantly. A reliable third scorer takes the pressure off Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo to do everything on the court. The Heat looked like a new squad when Wiggins found his rhythm, and that shift in dynamic is what turns a struggling team into a contender.
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Spoelstra fixes the offense with simple moves
Head coach Erik Spoelstra deserves credit for making the right adjustments to get this win. Per All U Can Heat, he brought back the pick-and-roll with Giannis acting as the roll man, which opened up the floor for everyone. This tweak allowed Giannis to grab 18 rebounds and Bam to settle into his comfort spots for 24 points. The strategy worked because it stopped the offense from looking faint and disjointed. Davion Mitchell added 10 points and 10 assists, while Pelle Larsson chipped in 17 points off the bench to keep the energy high. These role players stepped up because the stars finally had room to breathe and do what they do best.
Now the Heat have to prove this was not just a one-night miracle against a team that shot 42 percent from three. The win showed the blueprint works, but consistency is the only thing that will keep Miami in the playoff hunt. If Wiggins reverts to his early-season slump, the team will struggle again.
