It’s been a strange start to the season for Miami Heat forward Nikola Jovic, and head coach Erik Spoelstra took the time to address his struggles following his latest performance.
Earlier this week against the Portland Trailblazers, Jovic had perhaps his best game of the season, scoring 29 points, grabbing nine rebounds and dishing six assists in the win. However, Jovic experienced his worst game of the season just two games later. On Wednesday against the Cleveland Cavaliers, Jovic scored just two points on 1-6 shooting, and had four turnovers in a 130-116 loss to a shorthanded Cavaliers team.
Following the game, head coach Erik Spoelstra insisted that Jovic’s struggles have nothing to do with a new offensive scheme that the team is running this season in light of their recent roster changes.
“It’s about an intention, a maturity, a professionalism all the time. That’s what we’ve always been on him about,” Spoelstra said to Ira Winderman on the Sun Sentinel. “It’s not his confidence, we bump him with confidence. That’s what it is for young players, it’s not the new offense. That’s ridiculous.”
Jovic will have an opportunity to turn things around later this week when the Heat take on the New York Knicks, who could be playing without star point guard Jalen Brunson after he suffered an ankle injury.
More Heat news:
- NBA expert ranks Heat as best trade destination for Mavericks' Anthony Davis
- Zach Lowe proposes bold Miami Heat trade for Dallas Mavericks superstar
- Kel’el Ware joins elite company in Heat history with huge rebounding game