Heat

Heat’s problems go beyond slow start, with numbers pointing to both ends

November 7, 2026

The Heat have Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bam Adebayo and a 3-6 record. Safe to say, that wasn’t the idea.

There’s time to straighten things out. But this goes beyond waiting for a few more shots to fall.

Ethan J. Skolnick of Heat On SI identified three statistical trouble spots, and together they offer a pretty good explanation for why the Heat have been spinning their wheels.

Start with an offensive option they may be overlooking. According to Skolnick, the Heat rank last in pick-and-roll frequency despite ranking sixth in efficiency on those possessions. In other words, something that’s working isn’t getting much use.

Skolnick pointed to Davion Mitchell and Pelle Larsson as players producing good results in those situations. Running more of it could also help keep Adebayo involved and give the offense a little more direction.

Erik Spoelstra has plenty to sort through. Giving productive actions a longer look seems like a reasonable place to start.

Then there’s the shooting. The Heat rank 28th in points per possession on spot-up jumpers, Skolnick noted. That’s a rough return for a roster featuring Klay Thompson, Bobby Portis Jr., Tim Hardaway Jr. and Andrew Wiggins.

Skolnick singled out Thompson as the reliable option after a slow start. The others need to supply more. Without elite playmaking in the backcourt, the Heat can’t keep wasting the looks they do create.

The problems are just as pronounced at the other end. Per Skolnick, the Heat are allowing the second-most 3-point attempts while ranking 29th in opponents’ 3-point percentage.

That’s a tough combination to survive. A defense can live with conceding certain shots if it controls who takes them and how difficult they are. Right now, the Heat aren’t getting enough benefit from that tradeoff.

Games against the Kings and Jazz offer a chance to finish the road trip with something positive. Then the Cavs and Pistons visit on consecutive nights.

The record can improve quickly. Sustaining it will require the Heat to find more offense they can trust and give opponents fewer comfortable possessions.