Another night, another awful performance from the Miami Heat. For the second game in a row, they came out flat and showed absolutely no life offensively, losing 93-80 to the Boston Celtics, and now sit on the brink of elimination heading into Game 6 on Friday.
It's not like the C's played great either. But, the Heat couldn't get anything going and this is a serious concern for a team that has title aspirations. There are numerous players to blame for the dismal outcome as well.
3 Heat to blame for Game 5 loss to Celtics
Jimmy Butler has been playing fantastic basketball in these playoffs. He's basically the reason the Heat are even at this point because to be honest, the rest of the rotation hasn't exactly thrived. Butler took charge and made sure he put his best foot forward in the previous rounds and even earlier in this Celtics series. However, Jimmy Buckets struggled immensely on Wednesday. The veteran collected just 13 points in 40 minutes of action while shooting a putrid 4 for 18 from the field and only 1 for 5 from downtown.
Those same mid-range jumpers that were landing consistently aren't now. Boston is doing a solid job defending him, but he is still getting some decent looks. If the Heat is going to live to see another day, Butler must step up and show out for at least 20+ points in Game 6. He's dealing with some knee pain but Butler has to fight through it and deliver
The Heat was playing better without Kyle Lowry. There is no other way to put it. He might as well have sat on the bench all night on Wednesday, logging 24 minutes and posting another goose egg. Lowry went 0 for 6 from the field and 0 for 5 from deep. The Heat vet also committed three turnovers. Lowry is the point guard of a team in the East Finals. A performance like this is simply not acceptable, not when you're trying to win an NBA championship. Sure, he is still battling hamstring soreness, but this is the time his team needs him the most.
Sure, he hasn't shown the same offensive brilliance as his days in Toronto, but Lowry is certainly capable of at least contributing more than Wednesday. Lowry didn't even notch a single assist either and facilitating is the one thing he's typically able to do on a relatively consistent basis. With Tyler Herro potentially out again on Friday, Lowry has to rise to the occasion with the season on the line.
The Heat rely heavily on the triple and when you shoot 16% from deep in a game, there's essentially no chance of winning. That was the case in Game 5 and Max Strus, who is typically one of Miami's best shooters, had another forgettable outing. Strus failed to score a single point in the horrific Game 4 and managed to compile only four on Wednesday. All of his points came from the charity stripe however and he didn't convert a single shot from the field or three-point land, going an ice-cold 0 for 7.
Strus has emerged as an important piece for the Heat and started every single game in the postseason so far. The production he offered on Wednesday was unacceptable for a player who is relied upon to knock down shots. Miami's backs are up against the wall now and along with the rest of the squad, Strus needs to find his stroke and get hot in Game 6. It will play a crucial part in forcing a decisive Game 7.
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