NBA – Heat rookie Jaime Jaquez Jr has reassured himself during his last two outings after experiencing a serious slump in recent weeks.
And suddenly he turned into a caviar machine. A counter-attack carried out to serve Bam Adebayo in an “alley-oop”, a good fixation in the Raptors defense to bring the ball out with the racket head towards Caleb Martin, a similar fixation in transition back to his pivot…
The low investment in Canadian defense has undoubtedly helped Jaime Jaquez Jr., very comfortable with ball in hand, to sign his career record in passing: 9 offerings, completed by 20 points scored (7/15 on shots). The Heat rookie had not reached this symbolic bar of points scored since March 8.
Since this date, he had only exceeded 10 points on four occasions, a small average of 7 points per match, with a lower level of skill (43%) than that displayed over the whole of the season (49%). But he followed it up with a second convincing performance, against the same opponents, with 18 points scored to end the season.
Productions more worthy of his rookie of the month trophies, obtained in November and December, before being surpassed by Brandon Miller, distinguished the following three months in the East. “ I told him in the locker room after the match (the last against the Raptors), that he looked the same as he did at the start of the season. He’s on his legs, he’s in good health. I think he has a clear mind. He has more than 70 matches to his credit. He feels good », reassures Erik Spoelstra.
One of the rare rookies mobilized
It should be remembered that his rookie had to go to the infirmary in mid-January, missing six matches, due to a left groin sprain. More recently, he suffered knee and ankle discomfort. Result, a second half of the season, also marked by the arrival of Terry Rozier in Miami, much less flamboyant.
The 18th choice of the last Draft undoubtedly did well to take care of the end of the regular season. Just to show his coach that he could count on him for the serious deadlines to come, with this play-in to be played against the Sixers.
« I think he has a sense of his role right now. It’s clear. We need his offensive production, his attacks from the basket, his play in the post. We need him to create something in these possessions where you’re a little stuck and he can create something out of nothing. You can see where he has improved. His passing game, his creation and we need all that at this time of year
», Says the coach.
With Chet Holmgren or Brandin Podziemski, Jaime Jaquez Jr. should be one of the rare rookies to play a significant role during these final stages.
Jaime Jaquez, Jr. Percentage Rebounds Season Team MJ Min Shots 3pts LF Off Def Tot Pd Fte Int Bp Ct Pts 2023-24 MIA 75 28 48.9 32.2 81.1 1.1 2.7 3.8 2.6 2.2 1.0 1.5 0.3 11.9 Total 75 28 48. 9 32.2 81.1 1.1 2.7 3.8 2.6 2.2 1.0 1.5 0.3 11.9
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
2024-04-17 18:24:11
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