
The Heat entered Friday's game at Sacramento having made 118 fewer free throws than its opponent. That translates to 3.5 points per game.
But more important, Miami entered Friday's game 12-0 when shooting more free throws than its opponent and 6-16 when shooting fewer free throws than its opponent. The Heat only has one player who is consistently able to draw fouls and that's G Dwyane Wade. He had attempted 330 free throws. The next closest Heat player was rookie F Michael Beasley at 93 free throws.
The Heat isn't going to magically find another penetrator, so its best answer is to play better defense.
"One of the things we have to try to do is on offense try to be more aggressive," coach Erik Spoelstra said. "But on defense we have to try to eliminate the silly fouls that put us into the bonus, the cheap fouls. And when we get into the bonus to recognize that and be a little bit more intense in those situations.
"Especially the last two games (San Antonio and Denver) we've been caught in the bonus with a lot of time on the clock. We're giving them cheap fouls and an automatic two shots and they might not even earn it."
HEAT 119, KINGS 115 (OT): Dwyane Wade did it again. The Heat's superstar scored 41 points -- 10 in overtime -- to help the Heat to a hard-fought victory at Arco Arena.
"A real gutsy effort," coach Erik Spoelstra said.
Rookie F Michael Beasley had his second double-double (23 points, 10 rebounds) in a lively effort.
"I think Michael took a step forward," Spoelstra said.
But Wade was the story. The play of the game came when Wade drove to the basket with 5.3 seconds in overtime with the score tied at 115. Typically a player would wait to take the game's final shot and not leave the opponent time to shoot. But Wade's defender, John Salmons, briefly looked away.
"You've got to go," Wade said. "You don't know when you're going to get such an opportunity."
Wade got fouled, made both free throws to give Miami a 117-115 lead, and that was pretty much the ballgame.