What Erik Spoelstra, Miami “appreciates” on the bench in the midst of success

ByNBAUSA


MIAMI – With Big win for the Miami Heat over the New York Knicks on Sunday night, 115-107, the team once again showed off its new up-tempo offense that has led to everyone’s success to start the season. While it is The Heat are still not satisfied with the resultsas they look to maintain that throughout the season, one unit that has benefited from an offensive change is the bench.

Looking at the previous three games, the second unit outscored the opposing team’s bench and had the second-highest scoring average in the league at 51.7 points per game, just ahead of the Memphis Grizzlies (53.3). Even looking at the last two games, the bench is averaging 60 points per game while shooting 54.1 percent from the field and 40.9 percent from deep.

Led by Jaime Jaquez, Nikola Jovic, Simone Fontecchio and Drew Smith, they are doing wonders and embracing this new, fast-developing offense. When asked if the new system led to great results for the bench, Spoelstra would say that it was a myriad of other reasons and how the team and the starters “appreciate” the second unit.

“I’m not really sure, it’s probably a little bit of everything, but they’re playing well,” Spoelstra told ClutchPoints before Tuesday’s game against the Charlotte Hornets. “They give us a boost. Everybody really appreciates it, like the starters really appreciate it. The starters also want to play better and more consistently, so as much confidence as we can feed that group, I think is a good thing.”

The Heat’s Erik Spoelstra describes a “quick” bench

Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra looks on from the sideline against the New York Knicks during the second quarter at Kaseya Center.
Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

One player in particular was a the great benefactor under the quick attack of Heath was Jaquezcoming off a sophomore slump. The up-tempo nature has Jaquez returning to his strengths as a downhill shooter, as even his decision-making has improved whether he’s using his physical advantage to gain an advantage at the basket or pass the open man.

Jaquez has back-to-back games of 17 points, has remained active on the glass and has been a playmaker with 15 rebounds and 11 assists in the past two games. Along with Jaquez, Fontecchio has also been impressive early as the Duncan Robinson sign-and-trade rookie averaged close to 14 points per game, making his presence known from deep but also giving Miami defensive intensity.

Add that with Jovic and Smith back, and what you have is a “really rough bunch”, as Spoelstra said.

“It’s a really tough group. It’s a competitive group and you think you might have advantages if you’re the other team, they make up for it with their activity and toughness,” Spoelstra said Sunday after beating the Knicks. “They have a belief and a spirit about them that’s great. And then offensively, wow. I mean, they really play a team game. They move the ball, they cut, they move great without the ball, they find open players. It’s a really fun group to watch. And it’s two games in a row where they’ve really impacted the game.”

“So we just want to give that group as much confidence as possible. I want them to be a little to a little bit unreasonable, you know, that was a big boost for us,” Spoelstra continued.

Warmth Bam Adebayo about how “active” the other unit was.

The offensive game plan has undoubtedly worked wonders, despite the three-game sample size, as equal Rookie Norman Powell went through without a hitch with the system. But while the starting unit is crucial, the bench is just as crucial, as it needs to bring a spark to the game, which Jaquez, Fontechio, Jovic and Smith have done so far.

If there’s one player who loves to see them succeed, it’s Miami captain Bam Adebayo. expressing how they were involved in a fast-paced attack. After Sunday’s win over New York, the Heat were first in pace with 109.67 possessions per 48 minutes.

“We have a great group. Guys, don’t regret saying that,” Adebayo said with a smile. “We’ve got a great group, man, and we’ve all bought into the system. And you see, everybody’s on board. You don’t know who’s going to shoot the ball or who’s going to catch and go, and we love that. That’s how we want to play. We want to play, whether all five guys feel involved and are active.”

Either way, Miami is looking to move on, as after Tuesday’s game against the Hornets, the team embarks on a four-game road trip.





2025-10-28 22:37:00

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