Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Fair to describe showing at line as something foul
Heat rank 7th in FT chances, but 29th in percentage
MIAMI — At this point the Miami Heat can at least take solace in the quantity because when it comes to the quality of their foul shooting, there is not much there.
Amid ongoing struggles at the line the Heat went into Tuesday night’s game against the Orlando Magic at AmericanAirlines Arena ranked 29th in the 30-team NBA in free-throw percentage at .702.
But as coach Erik Spoelstra pointed out, the Heat also ranked seventh in the league in foul shots per game (26.1) and 12th in conversions (18.3).
“Yeah, it’s OK,” Spoelstra said. “Our free-throw attempts and ability to get to the line is up. That was something we wanted to do coming into the season. And as long as the guys are working on it — go up there and have a clear mind, shoot ‘em with confidence.”
Among the issues has been the wayward marksmanship from center Hassan Whiteside, who entered Tuesday’s game at .481 from the line, including recent games of 2 of 7, 1 of 6 and 1 of 7. He said it had become mental.
“I was overthinking it the last couple of games,”Whiteside said. “My teammates were talking to me that it’s going to work itself out.
“I shot close to 70 percent from the free-throw line last year. I believe in hard work. And if I keep putting in the work, I think it is going to turn around and fall for me.”
Guard Dwyane Wade said that had better be the case for the entire roster with a six-game trip up next.
“Understand it’s one of those free points, so let’s not try to leave too many points on the board,” he said. “Especially when you go on the road, it’s going to be hard to win if you’re shooting low at the freethrow line, especially if we’re working so hard to get there.”
Wade said the work is ongoing for both himself and his teammates.
“The positive out of it is that we’re getting there,” he said. “I think it’s just what we’ve always done — guys just getting in the gym, making sure they continue to shoot those free throws.”
Changing times: Amid a revolving door of injuries, Wade said Tuesday it is important that teammates understand shot totals will fluctuate in an ever-changing rotation.
“That’s what we talked about early in training camp,” he said. “That’s what we continue to talk about. And I think it’s easier said than done.
“Some nights some guys are going to be involved and get 10 to 15 shots and will be feeling good. And then a night or two later they might not even be in the rotation, (so) you may not get that many shots. So it’s definitely not the easiest thing to deal with, but try to put yourself into the team at this point in the season.
“Let’s put ourselves into the team. Whatever’s needed, whatever Coach decides, however the game is played, do what you can in your time, in your moments, in your opportunities to help this team win.”
Westward Ho: Up next for the Heat is a six-game trip that opens Friday in Phoenix. They won’t be back at AmericanAirlines Arena until Dec. 20.
“It’s obviously challenging,” Wade said. “For every team, when they go on the road, whether you’re (in) the Western Conference or Eastern Conference, especially for us at this time — trying to find our identity and having a lot of ups and down throughout the year — a long road trip can make you or break you. It can pull you together, you can see some positive things on that road trip that can help prepare you, or it could separate. Obviously, we’re hoping the latter.
“We’re hoping on this road trip we’re able to play some good basketball, put some good games together (and) that we’ll come out of this trip even more confident than we will (be) going in.”