Heat Notes: Wiggins, Ware, Losing Streak, Takeaways

Former No. 1 overall pick Andrew Wiggins says he’s still getting adjusted to an expanded offensive role with the Heat, writes Anthony Chiang of The Miami Herald. Wiggins’ brief tenure with Miami has already been interrupted by a right ankle sprain, causing him to miss five games, having returned for the past two.

“It has been great,” Wiggins said of his increased usage rate. “It’s something I love to do. I love getting the ball, driving, just doing whatever I can to help the team win, most importantly.

“Just getting adjusted, getting situated. Just trying to figure out all the sets and picking my spots on the floor and building up that chemistry. Seeing what everyone likes to do, everyone’s spots. But it’s coming along.”

Wiggins, who was acquired from Golden State in the Jimmy Butler trade, says it takes time to build chemistry with new teammates, but he’s confident he’ll figure it out.

“I feel like I will get better with each game, experience just as the chemistry builds, especially around these guys,” Wiggins said. “I feel like I will be better.”

Here’s more on the Heat:

• Rookie center Kel’el Ware has been a bright spot amid a disappointing season, but he struggled in the past two outings against larger centers in Mark Williams and Ivica Zubac. As Chiang writes for The Herald, Ware didn’t play at all in the second half of Wednesday’s loss to the Clippers. For his part, Ware says he’s “rolling with the punches” of the ups and downs of his debut campaign. “Those are guys who have been in the league for a minute and I’m still learning through it,” Ware said. “So I don’t really think it’s tough. I just think it’s more of a lesson to learn, look back on it and get better next year.”
• In another story, Chiang shares his takeaways from Wednesday’s defeat, which extended the Heat’s losing streak to a season-high five games. Second-round pick Pelle Larsson was one of the bright spots for the team in a game in which Miami was outplayed from start to finish, per Chiang.
• The Heat’s next five games are against teams with winning records and Miami has struggled in those situations clubs all season, according to Chiang. The team is in danger of dropping eight games below .500 for the first time since 2016/17, Chiang notes. “We just got to stay with it,” All-Star guard Tyler Herro said. “I know it’s getting old hearing that. But that’s our job is to stick with it. I think these last couple games, our spirit hasn’t been at the level it needs to be. Obviously, wins and losses can affect emotionally. But I feel like right now is a time when we need to come closer, be as close as we’ve ever been from top to bottom. Being able to come in and just lean on each other, try to turn this thing around.”