Jimmy Butler wants to thank Haywood Highsmith for his contribution to the Heat’s seven-game winning streak.
Despite Tyler Herro’s injury, which will keep him out for at least another week, the Miami Heat have been on a roll, winning six straight games coming into Thursday night’s game against the Brooklyn Nets. Without Herro, the Heat’s offense has been reliant on Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo, and Duncan Robinson, who combined for 82 points in the Heat’s 122-115 victory over the Nets.
However, during the Heat’s hot streak, there is one player who has gone unnoticed in terms of their contribution to victory. Butler, on the other hand, wanted to give this man his due, especially because he has been more than solid for the Heat since moving to the starting lineup.
“Haywood,” Butler responded when asked “what has gone right” for the Heat during their seven-game winning streak, according to Five Reasons Sports’ Brady Hawk. “Because he’s starting.”
The Heat have not lost with Haywood Highsmith in the starting lineup, therefore Jimmy Butler’s statements may be correct. Highsmith hasn’t exactly set the world on fire; his surface-level stats aren’t very eye-popping, but he did record five thefts and two blocks in the Heat’s most recent victory over the Charlotte Hornets. He’s also not scoring well, averaging 8.0 points per game on 42% shooting from the field and 25% from deep over the last seven games.
However, Highsmith has provided the Heat with an infusion of youthful verve and a more switchable presence on defense; it has also allowed Miami to start Duncan Robinson in the starting lineup, as Highsmith provides the team with the defensive presence Robinson lacks, while Highsmith has also allowed the Heat to put Jaime Jaquez Jr. in the sixth man role, where he has thrived.
Haywood Highsmith already showed signs of being a valuable player for the Heat during their run to the NBA Finals in 2023, and he’s now solidifying himself as a franchise keeper. Highsmith, yet another undrafted player, demonstrates that the Heat, particularly over the last five years, are just unbeatable in terms of player development.
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