Tyler Johnson Says Miami Heat’s Identity Is to ‘Make It Ugly’

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Although the Miami Heat don’t have an exceptional superstar on the roster, shooting guard Tyler Johnson knows they have their own way of finding victories.

After the Heat edged the Houston Rockets on Thursday, Johnson elaborated on the team’s winning identity, per Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald.

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“I feel like our identity is trying to make it ugly,” Johnson said. “A lot of teams aren’t used to that. So, I feel like in the three years that we’ve been here, we’ve had to win ugly a lot. In most of our games, we’re not running away with anything. It’s a two-point game, one-point game going down the stretch. It’s always been part of our identity.”

Johnson, 26, has a great point regarding the team’s way of winning. While the Heat have destroyed a couple of teams this season, many of their wins have come in close, hard-fought games. Without a definitive star, different players are stepping up to the plate and guiding the team to victory.

During Thursday night’s triumph, Johnson was one of the Heat’s most outstanding players. The 6-foot-4 guard put up 19 points, four rebounds, and two blocks to help knock off 2018 MVP James Harden and the Rockets.

Despite injuries to numerous rotational players, the Heat are finding ways to work around barriers and win ball games. Already without guard Dion Waiters, the team learned earlier this week that they would lose All-Star point guard Goran Dragic for nearly two months. Yet, the team has responded with their longest winning streak of the season. The Heat certainly have a resurgent group.

Johnson is averaging 11.3 points, 3.0 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game this season.
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Born and raised in South Florida, Justin has always been a passionate Miami Heat fan. An avid supporter from the time Miami got its first championship in 2006 to having a league-worst 15-67 record in 2008 to the whole LeBron James era until now, Justin has seen and stuck through it all. His all-around analysis and heart for the game has made him a premier NBA writer. He writes for a variety of sites but his commitment to the Heat is always top priority.