Before the last two games in the second round of the 2022 playoffs, the Miami Heat were having a pretty amazing season. They finished the regular season with the best record in the Eastern Conference.
Later, they easily won the first round of the playoffs against the Atlanta Hawks. Even against the Philadelphia 76ers, they took a 2-0 lead and looked very comfortable. But since then, the Heat have been completely outplayed by the Philadelphia 76ers.
While the majority of the credit goes to the return of Joel Embiid after the injury and Harden’s return to form, another reason for it has been the poor shooting by the Heat.
They are constantly struggling from the 3-point line and the Sixers are exploiting that weakness. The surprising fact about these performances is that the Heat have a great sharpshooter on the roster, but for some reason, the franchise is adamant about playing him.
Yes, we are talking about none other than Duncan Robinson. After having a breakout year in 2020, he was rewarded well by the team. They did so by giving him a 5-year contract worth $90 Million.
Despite paying him so much money, Robinson has played just 1 minute in the second-round series against the 76ers.
The Heat are 14-65 (21.5%) from three in the last 2 games.
Duncan Robinson has played a grand total of 1 minute this series. pic.twitter.com/Tbm0ALVOyC
— StatMuse (@statmuse) May 9, 2022
As pointed out by the tweet above, the Heat are shooting just 14-65 from the 3-point line which translates to 21.5%. Maybe adding Robinson to the team will have a positive impact on the team’s 3-point shooting.
But there is no real reason for sidelining the sharpshooter. He was recently asked about the same to which he replied:
“Whatever coach needs me to do. He tells me to go in, I go in. He doesn’t tell me to go in, I don’t go in.”
“Whatever coach needs me to do. He tells me to go in, I go in. He doesn’t tell me to go in, I don’t go in.”
– Duncan Robinson on Erik Spoelstra pic.twitter.com/QQ47beNthp
— Heat Nation (@HeatNationCom) May 8, 2022
Let’s see if coach Spo gives him a chance and he can most probably help the franchise make a comeback in the series.
Will they be able to win the series and make it to the Eastern Conference Finals? We will find out in the next few games.
