Heat Work to Revive Fast Pace as Opponents Adjust; Rozier Set for Arraignment, Ware’s Minutes Shrink
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The Miami Heat will return to practice Monday intent on restoring the frenetic style that powered their quick start but has sputtered during a three-game slide, head coach Erik Spoelstra said after Saturday’s home loss to the Sacramento Kings.
“It was not one of our finer games, but we’ll regroup,” Spoelstra told reporters. “We do need to get back in the gym, fine-tune some things and get ready for Tuesday.” Miami faces the Orlando Magic on Tuesday in an NBA Cup elimination contest.
League Slows Miami’s Fastest Pace
After ranking near the bottom of the NBA in pace for six straight seasons, the Heat lead the league at 105.4 possessions per 48 minutes. However, five of their last seven outings have been among their slowest, underscoring how opponents have begun to neutralize the attack.
“We knew this was going to happen,” guard Norman Powell said. “We kind of surprised everybody with the pace, and now they’re ready for it.”
Spoelstra overhauled the offense during the summer, embracing a wide-open approach that minimizes screens and pick-and-rolls. According to The Athletic, the coach met with players and staff in the offseason and brought in player-development consultant Noah LaRoche, an advocate of a constraints-led approach that emphasizes constant cutting and rapid decisions instead of set plays.
“It was definitely an adjustment, but I think everybody embraced it,” forward Jaime Jaquez Jr. said. “When you have a lot of open space, you don’t really need screens.”
Rozier Faces Federal Charges
Guard Terry Rozier is scheduled to be arraigned Monday at a federal courthouse in Brooklyn on charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering. ESPN reports that Miami’s front office is monitoring how the case may affect the roster and last season’s trade that sent a lottery-protected 2027 first-round pick to Charlotte for Rozier. Sources told ESPN that the implications for using Rozier’s expiring $26.6 million contract in future salary-matching deals remain unclear.
Ware’s Playing Time Reduced
Rookie center Kelel Ware has experienced a reduction in minutes over the past week. Team observers cited weak rim protection and inconsistent effort as the primary reasons for the cutback.
Miami returns to action Tuesday night at Kaseya Center with its NBA Cup hopes on the line.
Source: HoopsRumors
