Heat Veterans Guiding Promising Youth as Miami Looks Like Playoff Dark Horse

MIAMI — The old guard of the Miami Heat wasn't what supplied the fireworks during a 106-98 win over the Chicago Bulls Thursday.

It was Josh Richardson, who added to his growing dunk reel. It was Hassan Whiteside, who made a how'd-he-do-that block and grabbed some even more remarkable rebounds. Turner Sports sideline reporter Craig Sager played a game called "Sager or Sofa" that was every bit as miraculous as it sounds.

And Bulls sophomore Doug McDermott provided the hit of the night with a third-quarter takedown of Whiteside that drew both a flagrant-1 foul and some unexpected praise—and poise—from the 7-footer.

"I saw the line of scrimmage. I got sacked for a loss of five," Whiteside said. "It was a good tackle."

Those could be the lasting memories for those who watched Miami keep itself in the race for the Eastern Conference's No. 3 seed. But the contest's true significance went deeper than the potential viral videos.

It was Goran Dragic helping the Heat through some early offensive funks—their first seven possessions produced more turnovers (three) than points (two)—and finding exactly where he was needed. The 6'3", 190-pound point guard not only provided 16 points, but he also corralled a career-best 12 rebounds.

"I thought I already had a game with 13 [rebounds]," Dragic joked.

Midseason addition Joe Johnson masterfully maneuvered through scoring, assisting and floor-spacing roles. He needed just 10 shots for his 17 points, hitting 3-of-4 from distance (the rest of the Heat went just 1-of-10). He also tied for the team lead with four assists and only coughed up a single turnover in 35 minutes.

Then, like always, there was Dwyane Wade providing calm and stability to a Heat team that received a harder-than-expected fight from a Bulls squad teetering on the brink of postseason elimination.

"They really came out fighting," said Wade, who had a team-high 21 points, five rebounds and four assists. "We played them three times previously, and this was the most fight that we had."

Chicago made Miami grind. The Heat entered intermission with only 40 points on 39.5 percent shooting. The Bulls made the Heat play their style, and it's one likely to be seen throughout Miami's postseason run.

"We're not going to be scoring 110 every night in the playoffs," Wade said. "You have to be able to take your opportunities to get out in the open floor—we want to always do that, get out and go—but when we can't do that, we want to be able to grind it out in the half court."

That's why this game holds significance beyond the wins column and highlight clips. When the Heat needed direction—in a playoff atmosphere against a team fighting with everything it had left—they leaned on their experienced core.

And those seasoned pros delivered.

This is likely the path to playoff success: vets lead, youngsters follow.

Miami's trio of up-and-comers—Whiteside, Richardson and Justise Winslow—doesn't have many off nights. But the three had just eight points on 12 shots through the first two quarters Thursday.

Maybe it was the setting. Whiteside called it a "playoff atmosphere," which he'd only know through stories, since he's never experienced the big dance himself.

Maybe it was Chicago's hunger.

"This was pretty much what we expected," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. "We knew that they would come out and really push us and test us."

Or maybe it was the growing pains this time of year can force onto a first-timer. The kind of thing Miami's elder statesmen already know how to fight against.

That's why Dragic willed himself to those dozen boards. It's why Wade took charge of a stagnant offense, sensing he needed to pick up the scoring slack or set up his teammates. It's why a 33-year-old Amar'e Stoudemire is exploding off weathered knees, knowing full well that every bucket is a big one.

Miami's vets can't fuel a lengthy playoff run on their own. There isn't enough firepower, especially with Chris Bosh still shelved by blood clots.

But that's not the formula this win followed. Once Wade, Dragic, Johnson, Stoudemire and Luol Deng steered things in the right direction, the youngsters found where they could fit.

That's when Whiteside started inhaling boards and sending back Bulls shots. And when Richardson threatened to break both Twitter and the backboard with a soaring slam.

That combination of experience and youthful energy is what makes Miami such an intriguing playoff participant—and a dangerous one at that.

Something special could be brewing in South Beach. The Heat have the fourth-highest winning percentage (.680) and sixth-best net rating (plus-5.8 points per 100 possessions) since the All-Star break.

They're not full-fledged NBA elite yet, but they're knocking on the door. With wise, old minds and fresh, young legs, they might have enough to make it across the threshold.

"This time of year, you have to use certain situations to try to prepare us, because we've never been there together as a team," Wade said. "This was one of those situations."

All quotes obtained firsthand. Statistics used courtesy of NBA.com.