A start for Nikola Jovic in the heart of a period of doubt
The day before, the Heat players held a team dinner where, according to Nikola Jovic« things had to be said “. Florida’s interior performance was particularly discussed, which have been blowing hot and cold lately.
Next to Bam Adebayo, the author of 26 points and 15 rebounds in Utah tonight and who has since regained color, and Kel’el Ware, Jovic is also concerned about this phenomenon. Just starting from the first match of the season, the Serbian woman has been standing still for several weeks.
« He will get through this. Every player goes through periods in the season when things don’t go quite as they would like. I think these are great opportunities for growth. When we face it, accept it and eventually overcome it, we gain a lot of confidence from it. », Erik Spoelstra said ahead of the meeting.
The coach has mobilized him much less lately. The result, half-time production: barely 4 points (24.5% shooting) and 3 rebounds per 13 minutes over six games. This trip to Utah was an opportunity to react.
In a collective demonstration of the Heat’s strength (147 scored points and 35 assists), Jović came out on top. Particularly aggressive at the rim, he finished with 23 points (6/12 on shots including 3/6 from distance, along with 8/11 on free throws) in 25 minutes.
His second best performance of the year, after 29 points against the Blazers last November. It should also be noted that every time they reach or exceed the 19-point mark, the Heat win: six wins.
A little demoralized
« I needed a team. I felt responsible for some defeats and wanted to show people that I was worth it. I know they may not be the best team, but it’s still an important win for us », he is delighted after the match.
Before that, during filming at the Delta Center, he still had difficulty explaining his crossing of the desert. ” I want to play well. I’m not hitting it right now and it’s demoralizing me a bit ” admitted a man struggling to live up to his handsome contract extension signed this summer for $62.4 million over four years.
« I have my own motivation. I want to win. And they want to win. And, at the end of the day, I want to be a great player. That’s what pushes me every day, not the fact that the coaches have to push me or anything. I motivate myself, and I think I am my own biggest motivator », he said again inside, aware that I am not a player around whom the whole system will revolve.
For his coach, he still remains an element ” so important ». « And that’s part of being a professional basketball player and part of team life, when you want to reach a level higher than where you are. We have to show courage and Nico now has to show character to be able to fight and get through this. » demanded Spoelstra. It seems that the message was heard for at least one evening.
https://vvv.youtube.com/vatch?v=o-kA2E-uobM
| Nikola Jovic | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saison | The team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | LF | Off | Def | That | Pd | Ft | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2022-23 | MIA | 15 | 13:36 | 40.6 | 22.9 | 94.7 | 0.6 | 1.5 | 2.1 | 0.7 | 1.3 | 0.5 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 5.5 |
| 2023-24 | MIA | 46 | 19:29 | 45.2 | 39.9 | 70.2 | 0.5 | 3.6 | 4.2 | 2.0 | 1.8 | 0.5 | 0.9 | 0.3 | 7.7 |
| 2024-25 | MIA | 46 | 25:08 | 45.6 | 37.1 | 82.8 | 0.6 | 3.3 | 3.9 | 2.8 | 1.8 | 0.8 | 1.3 | 0.3 | 10.7 |
| 2025-26 | MIA | 35 | 19:02 | 37.7 | 29.4 | 70.8 | 0.6 | 3.1 | 3.7 | 2.7 | 1.6 | 0.7 | 1.7 | 0.4 | 8.5 |
How to read statistics? MJ = matches played; Min = Minute; Shots = Shots Successful / Shots Attempted; 3 points = 3 points / attempt 3 points; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive jump; Tot = Total number of jumps; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal mistakes; Int = intercepts; Bp = lost balls; Ct: Against; Points = Points.
2026-01-25 14:38:00
