Fourth defeat in five matches for the Heat who have fallen into line for 10 days, to the point of slipping to 7th place. There is nothing to worry about, but last night, Miami largely lost to the Kings, who were losing four in a row. Erik Spoelstra has to deal with a lot of absences, and on Saturday evening, it was Davion Mitchell who was in civilian clothes, injured in the groin.
An absence much more complicated to manage than others… “A little unpredictability”replied Bam Adebayo when a journalist asked him how his absence was felt against Sacramento. “He brings incredible energy sometimes, some desperately needed baskets come out of nowhere, and he finds a way to get them. And defensively, we all know what Davion brings… He’s the head of the snake when it comes to pushing our pace in transition. »
The engine of the team
Same analysis with Norman Powell when asked the same question. “His energy and effort”replies the former Clipper. “The coach calls him Mr. Unpredictable. He’s the one who flies everywhere in every possession, surprises players with the ball, triggers two-man catches, plays the passing lines. He is that extra defender who comes to help. His energy and physical qualities in defense were really missed, as well as his ability to get into the opposing leaders and make their lives difficult. »
What does Erik Spoelstra think? “His decision making” underlines the Miami coach on what Mitchell would have brought against the Kings. “I don’t like to talk too much about his ratio of assists to turnovers because I don’t want him to get that into his head. We will always make mistakes, and I trust him with the ball, I trust his decisions.
This is our engine. He puts the ball where it needs to go. He helps us play fast. He just has a good feeling for the game. He is aware of what we are trying to do because he is a player with a great basketball IQ. But that’s no excuse.”
