A win for the Miami Heat ended a miserable spell of form for the team that saw them plummet on a 10 game losing streak.
Getting a win before facing the Jimmy Butler led Golden State Warriors was imperative for the Miami Heat.
Beating the Charlotte Hornets was no guarantee, with one of the Heat’s 10 losses on their streak coming against the same team.
Charlotte even led after the first quarter, before Miami turned it around, thanks to a huge game from Andrew Wiggins, with 42 points.
Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra was keen to stress that Miami’s 122-105 home victory was about more than just one individually brilliant performance.
He was especially pleased with the contribution Davion Mitchell and Haywood Highsmith, who both started on the bench, but played 36 minutes each.
Spoelstra was particularly happy with Mitchell, who he said reminded him of former Miami Heat veteran Kyle Lowry.
Mitchell scored 12 points, had seven assists, three rebounds and two steals, and Spoelstra said he most enjoyed his off-ball work.
He explained: “Davion was spectacular off the ball, he was really disruptive, he reminded me of Kyle Lowry in a lot the things he was doing off the ball.”
Miami were desperate to end their depressing losing streak and secure a victory, and Spoelstra believes Mitchell and Highsmith were big reasons why.
He explained: “You want guys that are going to be disruptive and change the energy of the game. That’s what you bring in your second unit, the game should change. The energy should change, there should be some momentum change. It’s not going to happen every single time but thats the whole idea of it.
“Those guys have each had different roles. Davion has been a starter, H has been a starter, but this role with Wiggs healthy, this role makes the most sense and they’ve both kind of bought into that and excelled in that.”
Miami have had to change around and try and experiment to get back in the winning column. Against the Hornets this time, this latest combination worked.
Mitchell was acquired by Miami before the trade deadline and while he will be a free agent in the summer, he is keen to stay. He has made a positive impression on his Heat teammates so far, and Spoelstra’s comments underline how he is valued.
