Welcome to the NBA, Jaime Jaquez Jr.
Triple J scored 31 points on Christmas Day and joined Wilt Chamberlain and four other HOF players as the only rookies to have a 30 point and 10 rebound game on Christmas Day. Jaquez’s effort lifted the Miami Heat to a 119-113 win over the Philadelphia 76ers.
The game saw the absence of Philly’s Joel Embiid, who is averaging 35 points per game on a ridiculous 54% shooting. The Heat were also without their star player in Jimmy Butler.
The Heat had three players score 20 points with JJJ leading the entire team, missing only four shots going 11-15 (73%). The entire Heat offense hustled to every loose ball and made the most of their fast breaks as Miami had 21 points off of turnovers. The Heat also took advantage of Embiid’s absence as they out-rebounded the 76ers by 20 (56-36).
The Heat had three players who recorded 10 rebounds: Adebayo with 15, Love with 10, and Jaquez with 10.
With Caleb Martin injured, guys like JJJ and especially Duncan Robinson had to step up, and boy did they. Robinson had 16 points on 5-of-10 shooting from three-point range. The development of Robinson has been fun to watch; he is no longer just a three point maestro but he is a good inside scorer, better passer, and a much better defender. The former Michigan star has truly turned the corner and has become a much more balanced player.
The Heat attempted 10 more free throws than the 76ers and matched the 16 from the 76ers to the 27 from the Heat. Miami knew they had to take advantage of Embiid being out and what better day to do that than on Christmas?
Miami now stands at 18-12, good for fifth in the East. We know that the season is long and grueling for some players for load management, but best believe by April, Erik Spoelstra’s guys will be ready for battle no matter the opponent.