Here is what you need to know before the Lakers face off against the Miami Heat.
1)
Since the All-Star break, Jordan Clarkson has averaged 15.0 points, which ranks second among rookies behind Andrew Wiggins (21.0). During this time, Clarkson also leads all first-year players in field goal percentage, having shot 54.1 percent (40-for-74) since the break.
Jordan Clarkson Shot Chart (Since All-Star Break)
2)
L.A.’s other point guard, Jeremy Lin, has been playing just as well, if not better, in the six games after All-Star Weekend. Lin leads the team with 18.0 points and 5.5 assists per contest. The Harvard product dropped 23 points against Charlotte on Tuesday, and is hitting 51.3 percent of his shots since the week-long break.
3)
The last time these teams met on Jan. 13, the Lakers held Miami to an opponent season-low 78 points. However, the Lakers’ offense was even worse, as they were held to just 75 points for the first time in three years. The Heat jumped out to an 18-0 lead in the first quarter, and L.A. shot 31.5 percent from the field — its worst mark since February 2009.
4)
The Heat will be without their leading scorer (21.1) and rebounder (7.0), Chris Bosh, who is out for the season due to blood clots in his lungs. Recently selected to his 10th straight All-Star Game, Bosh was having a remarkable season, despite shooting his lowest percentage (46.0) since his rookie year. Bosh, who ranked second among centers in scoring, was dominating one-on-one situations, as he shot the NBA’s second-best percentage on isolation plays (44.8).
5)
The Heat added another weapon at the trade deadline by bringing in Goran Dragic. The former Sun has been one one of the league’s most efficient scorers, as he leads all non-bigs in field goal percentage (50.1). Dragic is also on the brink of a pair of milestones, as he needs one 3-pointer and two steals to reach 500 in his career for both.
6)
Together, Dragic and Dwyane Wade make for one of the NBA’s top backcourts. The duo combines for 36.7 points, 9.4 assists and 7.2 rebounds per game. They also lead all starting guard combinations by shooting 48.6 percent from the field.
7)
Hassan Whiteside has been a revelation for Miami this season. The seven-footer, who had been playing in China and Lebanon for the past year, is averaging 14.2 points, 14.0 rebounds and 2.7 blocks in his last six games. He also leads his team in both dunks (56) and double-doubles (14), despite having only played in 32 contests thus far.
8)
Due largely to injuries, the Heat have brought back former No. 2 overall pick Michael Beasley for his third stint in Miami. The Heat also signed Henry Walker, who was known as “Bill” when last in the NBA back in 2012. Together, Beasley and Walker have averaged 18.7 points and 6.9 rebounds in their eight combined games with Miami.
9)
The Heat rank last in the NBA in pace* (92.5), which has greatly affected other areas of their game. Miami is taking the league’s fewest shots (76.1) and making the second-fewest (34.7), while ranking last in rebounding (38.5) and third-to-last in scoring (94.0). However, this slow approach has taken the same effect on the Heat’s opponents, as they are holding them to the fewest shots (78.7) and the second-fewest baskets (35.9) and rebounds (40.1).
10)
Despite Wade averaging a league-high 6.9 fourth-quarter points, the Heat have been unable to pull off late comebacks. Miami is just 1-26 this season when trailing while entering the final period.
*Pace is the number of possessions a team uses per game.