After losing Jimmy Butler’s offensive presence, the Miami Heat needs Andrew Wiggins to help fill that void. To do that, Wiggins needs to play a little differently than he did with the Golden State Warriors.
“We want Wiggs to be more aggressive,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. “It’s a different role. Not better or worse, it’s just what we need. We need him to be a downhill guy, we need him to put some pressure on the rim and to draw fouls, help us control the game like that. And he’s embraced that.”
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But since the Heat traded Butler to the Warriors in exchange for a trade package headlined by Wiggins, there have been some bumps along the way.
After Wiggins played in his first six games with the Heat, he sprained his right ankle and sat out five straight games before returning to play in the Heat’s last two games. The Heat is just 2-6 through the first eight games that Wiggins has played in since being traded to Miami on Feb. 6.
“It was tough, for sure,” Wiggins, 30, said of having to miss time just a few weeks after joining the Heat. “I felt like I was getting in a pretty good rhythm before I sprained my ankle. But just getting a chance to watch the team and be there to support on the sidelines.”
Wiggins is also still trying to find his spots in the Heat’s offense to remain aggressive throughout the entirety of games, averaging 18.5 points, 4.9 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game while shooting 40.8 percent from the field and 31.3 percent on threes in his first eight appearances (all starts) with Miami.
Most of Wiggins’ scoring has come early in games, as he’s averaging 7.3 points on five field-goal attempts per first quarter with the Heat. He’s averaging 11.2 points on 10 field-goal attempts per game after the first quarter since being dealt to Miami.
“To be honest, I’m not too sure,” Wiggins said when asked why he hasn’t been able to sustain his impressive first-quarter production. “I kind of just play within the flow of the game and whatever happens happens.”
But Wiggins’ new offensive role has already been on display.
Wiggins’ scoring is up (averaging 18.5 points per game with Heat after averaging 17.6 points per game in 43 appearances with the Warriors this season).
Wiggins’ shot attempts are up (averaging 15 field-goal attempts per game with the Heat after averaging 13.7 field-goal attempts per game with the Warriors this season).
Wiggins’ free throws are up (averaging 5.4 free-throw attempts per game with the Heat after averaging 4.2 free-throw attempts per game with the Warriors this season).
Wiggins’ drives are up (averaging 10.6 drives to the basket per game with the Heat after averaging 6.5 drives to the basket per game with the Warriors this season).
Wiggins’ usage is up (posting a usage rate of 24.9 percent with the Heat compared to a usage rate of 22.9 percent with the Warriors this season).
“It has been great,” Wiggins said of the adjustment. “It’s something I love to do. I love getting the ball, driving, just doing whatever I can to help the team win, most importantly.
“Just getting adjusted, getting situated. Just trying to figure out all the sets and picking my spots on the floor and building up that chemistry. Seeing what everyone likes to do, everyone’s spots. But it’s coming along.”
Coming along, with what Wiggins hopes are better days ahead for him and the Heat.
“I feel like I will get better with each game, experience just as the chemistry builds, especially around these guys,” Wiggins said. “I feel like I will be better.”
Heat coaches and teammates expect more from Wiggins, too, as he continues to acclimate to his new team and surroundings.
“The more he gets comfortable, the more you see how gifted he really is,” Heat center and captain Bam Adebayo said of Wiggins. “I mean, we know what type of talent he is. ... He’s got all the tools to be a successful player. I feel like once he really gets comfortable here, I feel like he’ll get back to the All-Star Andrew.”
INJURY REPORT
The Heat will remain without Josh Christopher (G League), Nikola Jovic (broken right hand) and Dru Smith (left Achilles surgery) for Wednesday’s home game against the Los Angeles Clippers.
Alec Burks, who has missed the last three games, is listed as questionable because of a lower back strain.
Terry Rozier, who didn’t practice with the team on Tuesday, is probable to play with an illness.
The Clippers have not yet released their injury report, as they begin a back-to-back set on Tuesday night against the Pelicans in New Orleans. The Clippers will issue their injury report on Wednesday afternoon ahead of Wednesday night’s game in Miami.