Miami-Atlanta: Heat Needed a Hero in 105-90 Loss to Hawks—Calling Wade

Bonnie Tyler is famous for her song “Holding Out For a Hero.” In it, she sings that she needs a hero, and I know exactly how she feels, for I, and all Heat fans, need a hero badly.

Since 2004-05, the Miami Heat and its fans have had that hero, a man named Dwyane Wade, who’s reprised the role of Flash first held in DC comic books by characters Jay Garrick (1940—), then Barry Allen (1956-1985, 2008) and Wally West (1986-2006, 2007—), and finally Bart Allen (2006-2007).

For the past four games, three of which the Heat have lost, and the other they barely won, 81-80, against the worst team in the NBA (the 0-12 New Jersey Nets), Wade seems to have abdicated that role, as he’s shot a paltry 29-of-71 (40.8 percent).

For some reason he just doesn’t seem to be the same “Scarlet Speedster” who destroyed opponent’s hopes in helping the Heat to a 6-1 record to start the season.

In last night’s game against Atlanta, and for the second straight night, he looked even more abysmal, as he watched his franchise-record 23-game streak of 20-plus points end, scoring just 15 points on 6-of-18 shooting from the floor (33.3 percent), including only 1-of-2 from the FT-line in a 105-90 Miami Heat loss to the Hawks.

However, as much as Wade’s offensive struggles have kept Miami from rallying from late deficits in games they’ve lost, it’s their lack of defense that has been the real cause of their recent downfall.

Just a week ago, coming into the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Heat were one of the best defensive teams in the league. That dominance may have been an illusion, though, as many of the games they played during that stellar seven-game start were played in the comfortable climes of AmericanAirlines Arena.

Last night’s game was in Phillips Arena in Atlanta, and the Heat’s defense was as absent in that sold-out, pressure-packed venue as Miami fans sitting courtside.

While the Heat were without reserve forward Udonis Haslem for the first time this season (as he sat out with a shoulder injury he suffered the night before in a 100-87 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder) that is no excuse for how badly Miami has guarded their opponents.

Miami also suffered the loss in the third quarter of starting small forward Quentin Richardson, yet again, that’s no reason their reserves couldn’t play fundamental defense and clean up the boards against Atlanta.

Yes, there was a time during the contest last night where anyone watching had to be scratching their head at who the Heat had out on the court; with Carlos Arroyo, Daequan Cook, James Jones, Shavlik Randolph (Shavlik who?), and Joel Anthony getting playing time all at once.

Still, that’s not a justification for the heat being destroyed at times on the glass. It certainly doesn’t explain how the Hawks ended the game with a 15-9 edge in offensive rebounds, and in the final analysis it’s no reason the Heat lost.

Miami coach Erik Spoelstra is aware of his team’s defensive struggles, saying, “We have to develop some real toughness and resolve when we play teams like this on the road. We’ve had a real home-heavy schedule, so we’re being tested right now.”

If that’s so, coach Spo, your Heat squad is failing that test miserably so far.

Michael Beasley was about the only bright spot in last night’s defeat, scoring a team-high 21 points on 8-of-15 shooting (5-of-6 from the FT-line) to go along with nine rebounds and a blocked shot in his 32:43 minutes of play.

Jermaine O’Neal didn’t put up bad numbers, scoring 12 points on 6-of-11 shooting and grabbing seven rebounds, but he was badly overmatched in the game by Atlanta’s Al Horford and Josh Smith. There were times when Smith muscled into the paint against O’Neal as if he wasn’t even there.

No other player on the Heat reached double-figures as they watched another heartbreaking loss do damage to their franchise best start to the year. Mario Chalmers finished the night with eight points on 3-of-8 shooting, grabbed three rebounds, and dished out four assists

His backup, Carlos Arroyo scored nine points on 4-of-7 shooting to go along with his four rebounds and two assists; and Daequan Cook also nearly reached double-figures with nine points on 3-of-10 shooting (2-of-6 from downtown), grabbed five rebounds, and dealt out two dimes in 26:53 minutes of play.

Quentin Richardson had been playing well before his injury, and probably would have helped Miami to make the game closer in the final tally, as in limited playing time he put in six points on 2-of-3 shooting from beyond the arc to go along with four rebounds and an assist.

None of the contributions from the Heat players, though, was sufficient to overcome the great play of the Hawks.

Joe Johnson led the Atlanta attack with 30 points on 11-of-21 shooting from the field (3-of-3 from the FT-line) to go along with two rebounds and three assists. Most of his damage was done from beyond the arc as he went 5-of-11 from beyond the three-point line.

He was joined in double-figures by four other Hawks players; starters Al Horford, Josh Smith, and Marvin Williams, as well as reserve guard Jamal Crawford.

Horford finished with 16 points on 6-of-10 shooting from the field (4-of-4 from the FT-line), and was the absolute superior to Jermaine O’Neal in the paint as he ripped down 12 rebounds for a double-double to go along with two assists and a blocked shot.

Josh Smith also finished with a double-double, finishing the night with 16 points as well on 6-of-16 shooting (4-of-6 from the FT-line), terrorizing the glass and grabbing a game-high 14 rebounds to go along with seven assists, two steals, and two blocked shots. Simply put, he was the most versatile weapon in the Atlanta arsenal even if not the most prolific in scoring.

Miami saw just that kind of attack from Atlanta last year, and had hoped the more explosive Jermaine O’Neal, along with the improved play of Michael Beasley and usual defense of Udonis Haslem could contain it. Without Haslem that duty fell to O’Neal and Beasley, along with reserve center Joel Anthony; none of them seemed up to the task last night.

Marvin Williams and Jamal Crawford scored 14 and 10 points respectively, and without Wade putting up even his usual numbers, let alone a heroic performance, those five players for the Hawks in double-figures were enough to hand the Heat their fourth loss of the year.

Miami will play Atlanta again this year, and when they do hopefully they’ll be a little healthier and a whole lot more hungry.

Now 7-4, the Heat are going to have to seriously regroup if they’re to stop this skid and return to their winning ways. Atlanta is now 10-2, and if Miami’s not careful they’ll watch the Hawks take a lead in the division that’s simply insurmountable. Orlando is also right there at 9-3, and if the Heat have any hopes of winning anything this year, they’ll have to play far better than they have.

That starts with Wade, but also includes everyone else on the team. Heat fans can only hope that the assurances by the coaching staff that Udonis Haslem and Quentin Richardson are likely to start against the Toronto Raptors on Friday night will prove true.

Toronto is another team with length and youth, and they play a very up-tempo game. Miami will need every player on the floor to assure their current losing streak stays at just two.

One thing I’m sure of is Dwyane Wade will soon get out of the offensive slump he’s been in. As he himself said about his recent shooting woes:

“Shooters go through shooting slumps, and that’s kind of what I’m in. I got some good shots, shots that I hit in my sleep.”

My only entreaty to Wade would be, WAKE UP! Miami and the Heat need a hero, and you’re it.

Quotes taken from AP and Miami Herald recaps of the game.