Three players that will decided the Heat's fate on Monday night
The Miami Heat are playing the same team in back to back games yet again, but unlike last time the Heat are coming off a loss in the first contest. Some players need to change from the first game, and others need to stay the same for the Heat to come away with the victory. Let’s take a look at these players and evaluate how they did in the first matchup and what needs to change in the second.
Norman Powell – Grade: A+
Norman Powell was sensation and was a large part of the reason the Heat stayed in the game on Friday night for so long. His offense was perfect, and he showed all night why he so important to the team. The Heat might be the highest scoring team in the league, but their offensive rating is only middle of the pack. The offensive rating shows that the Heat, though greatly improved, have not completely fixed their offense. This is where a guy like Powell helps keep the team afloat. He was scoring whenever he wanted on all parts of the court. The defense had literally no answer for him as he went off for 38 points on an efficient night of 12/22 shooting and 8/15 from three.
The pressure he puts on the defense helps the four other players on the court to get easier looks and find their rhythm better as well. For the Heat to be competitive again, Powell has to be lights out on Monday night.
Kel’el Ware – Grade: C+
Kel’el Ware might be the Heat’s biggest X factor this year. If he takes a leap, and plays at that level consistently, then the Heat as a whole take a leap in the Eastern Conference standings. Ware continues to show his talent and has made strides in correcting some of his flaws this year, but a couple still remain, and it pains the Heat consistently. The biggest issue for the Heat recently is the inability to get defensive rebounds. As the main rebounder on the team, a lot of that falls on Ware.
Now I want to be clear, this is by no means all his fault, almost everyone on the team contributes to this issue. I am putting this on Ware because I think he has the best ability to fix this, at least until Bam Adebayo returns from injury. The Knicks have excellent rebounders all around their roster, the Heat have to be willing to box out on every shot. That simply did not happen on Friday night and the Heat were punished greatly, evidence by letting up 8 offensive rebounds to Mitchell Robinson. This can not continue, not even a little bit.
Nikola Jovic – Grade: C-
Jovic’s box score looks decent when considering he only played 13 minutes, but then you have to ask why he only played 13 minutes. That answer is because sometimes the box score can be misleading if you remove some stats, like his 5 fouls and then it also does describe how he actually played. Jovic has been the biggest let down this year for the Heat and without Adebayo or Tyler Herro, his disappointing play has been highlighted even more.
It is no secret the Heat do not have the biggest team. Because of this they need every forward to play well. Jovic simply has not consistently, and it is hurting the team. Like I mentioned under Ware, the team’s rebounding has been lackluster at best, Jovic can help to fix this problem also. On Friday night he pulled down 4 rebounds in his 13 minutes, which shows how he can be useful. His offensive potential could also be a huge boost to the team, but he needs to be more consistent in his output to be trusted. Jovic elevating his play can unlock a lot for the Miami Heat, and they will need that if they want to win on Monday night.
Aaron Rodgers’ Wrist Injury Could Stifle Pittsburgh Steelers’ Playoff Hopes
The Pittsburgh Steelers were able to fend off the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 11 despite losing quarterback Aaron Rodgers to a wrist injury.
Sunday night, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that the initial fear from one source is that Rodgers suffered “a slight break” in his wrist. Rodgers will undergo further testing on Monday to determine the full extent of the injury and how much time will be missed.
Schefter elaborated that it’s shaping up to be backup quarterback Mason Rudolph against the Chicago Bears next week.
Rudolph was 12-of-16 passing for 127 yards and one touchdown in relief of Rodgers. He was able to seal the 34-12 victory against the Bengals and send the Steelers to 6-4.
The Cleveland Browns didn’t do the Steelers any favors when they collapsed against the Baltimore Ravens. But with a 6-4 record, the Steelers are still on top of the 5-5 Ravens and in sole possession of first place in the AFC North.
But if Rodgers is forced to miss significant time, playoff hopes in Pittsburgh could be all but over.
This offseason, the Steelers signed the 41-year-old hoping to upgrade from Justin Fields and Russell Wilson, who both departed in free agency. While Rodgers took his time committing to Pittsburgh formally, the Steelers brought back Rudolph who flamed out in his lone season with the Tennessee Titans. They also drafted Ohio State quarterback Will Howard on Day 3.
Without Rodgers, this Steelers squad barely has a chance. Even though Rudolph is in his sixth season of serving a backup role, he’s been wildly inconsistent when given significant action. The Titans were starving for a solution at quarterback when they turned to him, and he threw nine touchdown passes to nine interceptions.
More importantly, this Steelers offense leaves a ton to be desired.
Running back Jaylen Warren somehow isn’t used enough on a weekly basis. DK Metcalf was a big offseason acquisition who has been inconsistent. But outside of Metcalf? Calvin Austin III and Roman Wilson are Pittsburgh’s other pass catching options.
The Steelers have the luxury of playing in a dreadful AFC North, but the Ravens are coming. Lamar Jackson was horrible in Week 11’s win against the Browns, but the Ravens still mustered an impressive win against an elite defense. They’ve won four straight games.
While Rudolph put together a respectable stat line in replacement of Rodgers, everybody knows how bad Cincinnati's defense has been.
The Bears are 7-3 and host the Steelers on Sunday. After that, the Steelers host the Buffalo Bills before traveling to Baltimore. Things are getting serious in Pittsburgh, and they could be without their starting quarterback.
