“Our problem is when we’re off shooting, we keep shooting. We just can’t keep shooting until it’s too late.”

“We need to get a little bit more movement. We have to find something.”

The numbers don’t lie, and neither do Shaq or Riley, respectively. When the Heat lose, they have a tendency to get lazy and settle for three point shots. Over their last 6 games the Heat are 2-4, suffering losses to teams they should beat but don’t.

Right now, teams are doing something simple – they are packing the lanes and daring the Heat’s shooters to beat them while fouling the hell out of Shaq every chance they get.

Here is a chart of the last 6 games the Heat have played and their subsequent three point shooting attempts:

As we can see, the Heat have only two wins – against the same team, the Hawks – and in each loss the Heat have attempted over 20 three point shots in the game. Those attempts could be better spent by creating ball movement or penetrating. The problem is, the Heat are settling for three point shot attempts instead of moving the ball inside. Also, opposing teams are starting to crowd the paint by doubling on Shaq and having a “cheater” defender lumping into the paint as well.

This is the difference that a Dwyane Wade makes for this team – his ability to penetrate and create, draw fouls and score inside is what makes this Heat team an elite team. Jason Williams was doing his best to replace Wade, but he can’t do it consistently every night and is obviously not the same type of player Wade is.

Still, the Heat have enough weapons here to make do and win games. They have to cut down on the three point attempts and focus more on penetration or setting screens to create jumpers on the wing.

The Heat have two tough games coming up here on the “Mini Road Trip of Integrity” that will see the Heat take on the TWolves and the Pistons, their Eastern rivals. It will be interesting to see how Riley reacts and if he can right the ship here.