Heat Give Up 20.5 Open 3s Per Game, Worst in NBA

The Miami Heat surrendered 138 points to the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday, a loss that snapped the team’s brief winning streak. The defeat marked the fourth time in Miami’s first seven games that opponents scored at least 125 points. Klay Thompson, who had planned a trip to Catalina Island for his day off, scrapped the itinerary to focus on practice.

Through 10 games, Miami has been outscored by 53 points and holds a 4-6 record. The defensive unit ranks 25th in the league, a stark contrast to the roster’s individual credentials. Giannis Antetokounmpo is a former Defensive Player of the Year, and center Bam Adebayo has earned six All-Defensive team selections. Point guard Davion Mitchell and swingman Andrew Wiggins are also known for their perimeter defense, yet those accolades have not translated into team results.

The numbers reveal a specific vulnerability. Opponents are shooting 39.4 percent from three-point range against Miami, the third-highest rate in the NBA. More telling is the volume: the Heat allow a league-worst 20.5 open three-pointers per game. Teams are also making an average of 16.4 threes per game against Miami, which is also the highest mark in the league.

Antetokounmpo identified a lack of trust as the root cause after the Lakers loss. He noted that players hesitate to close out on dribble drives because they do not feel their teammates will recover on defense. This hesitation gives opponents the space to pull up for jump shots. "Right now, we don't trust one another," he said. "We don't give that extra effort."

Head coach Erik Spoelstra rejected the idea that the team simply needs time to gel. "I don't know, but we don't want to use that as an excuse," he said. "The league's not waiting." He pointed out that the team's offense is ranked 20th, though it features the most efficient output in the league when running on-ball screens. Miami runs the fewest on-ball screens per game at 22.3, a tactic that has become a central part of their offensive strategy under consultant Noah LaRoche.

Leadership took a hands-on approach during the team's Los Angeles trip. President Pat Riley visited the locker room after both games. Former captain Udonis Haslem spent Monday at the team's shootaround at UCLA, where he addressed the players. Dwyane Wade also attended the session. Haslem has served as a cultural anchor for the organization for two decades, and his presence on the court alongside the active roster signaled a renewed focus on intensity.

Thompson played his best game of the season two nights later, scoring 30 points in a win over the Clippers. He hit the winning three-pointer in overtime. "It was gritty," Thompson said. "It wasn't pretty. But it was nice to gut it out because we've been in the mud to start the season."