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Miami Heat rookies Norris Cole, Terrel Harris take advantage of playing time

NEWARK, N.J. – There have been learning curves, of course, but the absence of Dwyane Wade for the third consecutive game has afforded the Heat the opportunity to get a closer look at its pair of young guards. Norris Cole and Terrel Harris, both rookies, have had time to shine in Wade’s absence.

Cole, the quick point guard out of Cleveland State, came into Saturday’s 101-90 victory against the Nets averaging 11.1 points per game and 3.6 assists. He has his ups and downs, like most in his position. But in flashes he shows what made him the 28th overall pick in June’s draft.

On a set of back-to-back possessions he exemplified it. Cole turned the corner from the elbow and blew by his defender on the baseline to easily drop in a reverse layup. On the other end of the floor, seven seconds later in the second quarter, he took a blocking charge as he tried to draw a charge.

It was a microcosm of his season. After busting out with 20 points in a victory over the Boston Celtics, he scored in double figures in four consecutive games before Thursday night’s victory over the Atlanta Hawks. Yet, he has done so while also being reckless at times. In four of his games Cole has turned the ball over at least three times. On the season he is averaging 2.6 turnovers per game – as many as big-minute player Chris Bosh.

Still, with Wade out because of a left foot contusion, Cole realizes that there is room to fill the gap.

“We know that this team is better with those guys on the court – there’s no question about it, even though we won that [Atlanta] game,” Cole said. “Our bread is buttered when those big three are on the court at the same time. We all understand that. But at the same time, when we get our chance to get out there and play, we like to take advantage of it.”

It was in that game that Harris had his own breakout session. He played 44 minutes as the game went into triple overtime. At just 6-4, Harris grabbed 14 rebounds – seven of them on the offensive end. It drew notice as he also scored nine points and added four assists in the 116-109 win. Before that game, Harris had only played 18 total minutes on the season.

Undrafted out of Oklahoma State in 2009, Harris spent the following two years bouncing around between Europe and the NBDL. Now he is helping bridge the gap until Wade comes back.

Although LeBron James returned against New Jersey after sitting out one game, the Heat still looked different without his running mate. As it shifts its focus to the perimeter, it’s two rookie guards who draw notice.

“They become a prolific three-point shooting team with James Jones and Shane Battier,” Nets coach Avery Johnson said. “[Norris] Cole, sort of brought off the bench – a good-looking rookie from Cleveland State. Mario Chalmers shoots the three pretty good. They’re a little bit of a different team.”

BY MIKE VORKUNOV, SPECIAL TO THE MIAMI HERALD

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