Miami Heat Struggles: Can Spoelstra Solve the Giannis and Adebayo Fit?

Erik Spoelstra Smiles After Miami Heat Avoid Historic Start Against Atlanta

Sometimes it feels like it’s easy, and sometimes it doesn’t, Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra said Wednesday after a win over the Atlanta Hawks.

That victory prevented the Heat from suffering their first 0–5 start since the 2007–08 season, when Miami finished with just 15 wins. The team entered the matchup with a struggling offense and a defense only marginally better, while one superstar, Giannis Antetokounmpo, was already blossoming and the other, Bam Adebayo, was still searching for his role.

The Steep Roster Price Paid for Giannis Antetokounmpo

Miamis early-season struggles follow a major offseason overhaul in which the franchise traded three first-round draft picks and a pick swap to acquire Antetokounmpo from Milwaukee. The blockbuster transaction also sent four former starters out of town, completely reshaping Spoelstra’s rotation.

Antetokounmpo addressed the resulting chemistry friction earlier in the week. I feel like everybody is trying to figure out what the next guy wants instead of focusing on themselves and what they need to do, he said. I feel like sometimes you want something so much that you kind of – I don’t know – you freeze in that moment. We just have to – as bad as it might sound – take a deep breath, relax, and just play basketball.

Miami Struggles with Perimeter Shooting Accuracy

Statistical indicators highlight Miamis perimeter shooting struggles. The team ranks 17th in the NBA in three-pointers made and 21st in three-point percentage at 31.7 percent. Klay Thompson shoots 32.4 percent from beyond the arc, while Antetokounmpo converts 25 percent and Adebayo hits 15.8 percent. Bobby Portis stands as the only regular starter shooting above 40 percent from deep.

To generate half-court pressure despite those shooting deficiencies, Miami plays at a fast pace, averaging roughly 104 possessions per game to rank seventh in the league according to NBA.com. However, among the six teams playing at a faster pace than Miami, only Toronto and Philadelphia hold winning records, while front-runners Chicago, Milwaukee, and New Orleans have struggled out of the gate.

Fast Pace Creates Defensive Vulnerabilities

The high-speed approach places heavy demands on Miamis defense. While the team excels in transition and points in the paint, opponents shoot nearly 40 percent from three-point range against Miami, prompting Adebayo to criticize the space allowed to perimeter shooters and the high volume of opponent offensive rebounds.

Despite those early defensive breakdowns, the roster features high-level defensive talent. Antetokounmpo and Adebayo form a formidable frontcourt pairing alongside strong defender Davion Mitchell and Andrew Wiggins. Some observers question whether slowing the pace to a half-court style similar to the Detroit Pistons would better suit the personnel, even if it wouldn’t immediately fix shooting woes.

Adjustments, Pick-And-Rolls, and Win Over Atlanta

Spoelstra remains committed to the up-tempo style. During Wednesday’s win against Atlanta, Miami pushed the pace to 107 possessions, scoring 21 fast-break points and totaling 70 points in the paint with 36 team assists. Seven players scored in double figures, led by Adebayo with 24 points and 24 points with 18 rebounds from Antetokounmpo, alongside 53 bench points and double-digit assists from Mitchell.

The victory also featured a tactical pivot toward the pick-and-roll. After running 94 pick-and-rolls across their first four games, the Heat ran 57 such plays against Atlanta—ten more than their previous single-game high last season. [Spoelstra] is one of those coaches that knows how to make adjustments, Adebayo said.

Antetokounmpo echoed the need for balanced execution. Guys have to look for openings, push forward, move when someone drives to the basket, but ultimately, when the game slows down, you have to run some pick-and-rolls, he said.

Coach Seeks Internal Solutions Amid Frustration

With major roster additions unlikely barring unexpected interest in Nikola Jović, Spoelstra must find internal solutions. Dwyane Wade recently advised Antetokounmpo and Adebayo via his podcast to communicate openly about their roles, drawing on his own early experiences alongside LeBron James in Miami.

Spoelstra acknowledged frustration within the locker room but emphasized that panic has no place in the organization. We’ve been able to handle some adversity appropriately, the coach said. Antetokounmpo expressed a similar outlook regarding the long season ahead. We all need to take a deep breath, he said. At some point, we’ll find a solution. You can’t press the panic button and panic, because if you start panicking, it only gets worse. I’ve been in this situation before. I’ve lost five games in a row, I’ve lost seven games in a row. I’ve won 10 games in a row. I’ve won 18 games in a row. You just have to keep playing basketball. You will find a solution.