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Duke Basketball: Justise Winslow named as starting point guard of Heat

By Kevin Connelly

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 08: Justise Winslow #20 of the Miami Heat dunks the ball during the second half of a game against the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center on December 8, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 08: Justise Winslow #20 of the Miami Heat dunks the ball during the second half of a game against the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center on December 8, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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Justise Winslow, the former Duke Basketball standout freshman was named as the starting point guard of the Miami Heat by Head Coach Erik Spolestra.

In what appeared to be a surprising move, Miami Heat Head Coach Erik Spolestra named former Blue Devil Justise Winslow as the starting point guard of the team.

Winslow stands at six feet, seven inch and 225 pounds, but demonstrates a great understanding of the game and makes good decisions with the basketball.

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In his first game since officially taking over the starting point guard role, Winslow scored 21 points, grabbed two rebounds, and dished out four assists in the Heat’s 106-104 loss to the Toronto Raptors.

Winslow is now averaging 10.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game while shooting 40.6% from the floor, 38.3% from 3-point range, an 66.7% from the free throw line.

The former National Champion with the Duke Blue Devils has played in 28 games this season, starting 14 of those games and averaging 28.1 minutes per game. Winslow will clearly start to rack up more starts as the season goes on due to this news.

The point guard position was opened up for the Miami Heat after Goran Dragic underwent surgery for his injured knee and will miss at least eight weeks.

The No. 10 overall pick of the 2015 NBA Draft is on pace to have the best scoring output of hit NBA career as his highest average points per game is 10.9 in the 2016-2017 season, but Winslow only played 18 games that year.

The Miami Heat currently sit at 16-17 on the season, which is good enough for the coveted No. 8 in the Eastern Conference. The Heat are tied with the Charlotte Hornets and only a half of game behind the Detroit Pistons for the No. 6 seed.

However, the Heat are only a half of a game ahead of the Brooklyn Nets, who currently sit in the No. 9 seed in the Eastern Conference.

Justise Winslow and the Miami Heat are back in action on December 28 as they will host the Cleveland Cavaliers.

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