ASK IRA: Did the Pacers crack the code of the Heat’s defense?
Q: Ira, did the Pacers crack the code? If I’m an opposing team, I’m attacking off the dribble at every opportunity. – Gary.
A: And opponents might well do that, if they have the personnel to do that. And that means also shooting from the 3-point line like Indiana did on Saturday night, when they went 16 of 32 from beyond the arc. But also consider that Bam Adebayo was out Saturday and that Haywood Highsmith was lost 2:47 into the game. The Heat have better point-of-attack defenders, they just weren’t available against the Pacers. Still, it was sobering enough that Erik Spoelstra assuredly will have a Plan B if needed, be it with his strategy or his rotation.
Q: Ira, did you notice that beyond Kyle Lowry’s eight rebounds, no one on the Heat had more than five Saturday? Small ball loses again. – Chris.
A: When the opposition shoots .659 and when the Heat shoot .539, there aren’t that many rebounds to be secured. Other than Myles Turner’s 10 rebounds, no one on the Pacers had more than five, either. But it would have been nice to see more off the boards for the Heat from Orlando Robinson, Kevin Love and Caleb Martin. It also says something that even on a night limited to 28 rebounds, Erik Spoelstra still had no inclination to play Thomas Bryant or Nikola Jovic.
Q: The Heat were better off not making the In-Season Tournament. Instead of getting the Bucks, Knicks, Pacers or Celtics, they get to get the Raptors and Cavaliers. – Ken.
A: And there is something to be said about the imbalance in schedules created for teams that advance to the knockout round of the NBA’s latest novelty. But the road trip to Toronto becomes protracted due to customs and immigration, with the Heat to stay overnight in Toronto and then fly back Thursday, the day before hosting the Cavaliers. And in Cleveland, the Heat have to again face the Cavaliers’ height amid the uncertainty with Bam Adebayo, with Cleveland likely seeking retribution for their 129-96 home loss to the Heat on Nov. 22.