Finals Berth: Three(3) Biggest Heat X-factors for the playoffs, including two(2) fascinating surprise, the Heat had multiple role players step up during…
With the playoffs around the corner, the Miami Heat are still trying to figure out their place in the East standings but we already know that the path to another Finals berth will be tough.
Beyond big-time performances by Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo, the Heat had multiple role players step up during last year’s playoff run.
But last year — obviously — is in the past. Who will step up this year? Here are the three likeliest candidates to serve as Miami’s playoff X-factors.
3. Terry Rozier
Terry Rozier showed up Tuesday night against the New York Knicks, showing what he can do when he gets going — “Scary Terry” was on display.
Rozier is a very streaky scorer and always has been since entering the league, but he can score in a variety of ways and is one of the few guys on the roster who can create his shot.
As an added bonus, Rozier and Bam Adebayo have developed an excellent pick-and-roll game and Rozier, since arriving in Miami, has thrived off the ball as a catch-and-shoot threat.
Rozier can get hot quickly, and you need a guy like that on your roster. During the playoffs, you need to find buckets when the game is more of a half-court game. What Miami needs Rozier to do is hit open threes and create shots when Miami is struggling offensively.
2. Caleb Martin
Coming off a fantastic playoff run last season, Caleb Martin might be expected to tap into that for this playoff run.
Will Martin average almost 20 points a game like he did in last year’s Eastern Conference finals against the Boston Celtics? Probably not. But if Martin can have a couple of games like that in a series, then Miami fans will sign up for that.
Martin is a two-way player who can defend multiple positions and attack the rim in the half-court or on a fast break. While he is a streaky shooter from three, he does tend to keep the defense honest by taking the open ones and attacking closeouts aggressively.
Martin is Miami’s Swiss army knife. If he shines as he did last postseason, then Miami will have a chance in any series.
1. Haywood Highsmith
Haywood Highsmith is Miami’s biggest X-factor going to the postseason.
Highsmith has shot the ball exceptionally well as of late and, if you have some time, watch Highsmith’s defense on Jalen Bruson from last week’s win. Highsmith did a fantastic job not biting on Bruson’s upfakes and herky-jerky play style. If he can do that, Highsmith can defend anyone on the perimeter, which is a huge asset to have come playoff time.
Add that to his confidence in shooting the three, and it will be hard for Erik Spoelstra to take Highsmith out of any game. Highsmith is precisely what you want as an X-factor. He doesn’t need the ball in his hands and finds a way to impact the game.
Offensively Highsmith can shoot from the corners and has been more willing to let it fly from above the break. He’s also good at moving without the ball cutting backdoor for a layup.
There’s a chance Highsmith could be the Caleb Martin of this postseason — a breakout role player — if he keeps defending and making threes at this level.
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