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Miami Heat give Mike Miller the green light to shoot

Mike Miller got off to a dazzling start after returning from a sports hernia procedure two weeks ago, making nine of his first 12 three point attempts.

In the four games leading up to Sunday’s contest against the Bulls, however, Miller was largely invisible from beyond the arc. He took just three three pointers, and did not connect on any.

Coach Erik Spoelstra inserted Miller into Sunday’s game after the Bulls went to a zone defense late in the first quarter, hoping Miller could spread the court.

Miller missed his first two attempts from beyond the arc, but he beat the zone with a three-pointer five minutes into the second quarter.

“I would love for [Miller] to take any open three-point opportunity as freely as possible,” Spoelstra said. “If he has any doubt, he should still take it. He is that important for us to spread the court. I want him to play with a free mind.”

CHANGING STRATEGY

Without Dwyane Wade, the Heat used the three-pointer as an effective tool to spread the floor. Miami missed Wade’s quickness, but made up for it with good ball movement and excellent accuracy from beyond the arc.

In the two games since Wade’s return, Miami has largely abandoned the three pointer as it moves back into its hyper-speed offense.

In the six-game stretch where Wade was sidelined, the Heat averaged 17.5 threes per game and made 7.5. With Wade back in the lineup, Miami has attempted 18 threes in the last two games.

Without Wade, the Heat averaged nine fast break points per game. Against the Knicks and the Bulls, Miami averaged 17.

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BY ROBBIE LEVIN
RLEVIN@MIAMIHERALD.COM

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