Jan 23, 2017; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat guard Dion Waiters (11) reacts after making the game winning basket against the Golden State Warriors during the second half at American Airlines Arena. The Heat defeated the Golden State Warriors 105-102. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Miami Heat: Grading every player at the midway point of the season by Simon Smith

Miami Heat: What if Dion Waiters plays like this the rest of the season?

Miami Heat: What if Dion Waiters plays like this the rest of the season? by Wes Goldberg

Miami Heat guard Dion Waiters plays second incredible game in a row, this time lighting up the mighty Golden State Warriors.

Welcome to the Hot Hand, where after every Miami Heat game win or loss we recognize the player who best put his stamp on the game.

Four in a row. That’s how many wins the Miami Heat have just ripped off, including tonight’s 103-100 thriller over the Golden State Warriors. In a game against the best team in basketball, with some of league’s brightest stars on it, it was Dion Waiters who stole the show.

Since regaining his fitness after missing over a month of action due to a groin injury, Waiters has been one of the Heat’s best players. Over his last five games, he’s averaging 22 points, four rebounds, and four assists. Furthermore, all of that’s been on an efficient 51 percent shooting, and 54 percent from three.

Tonight, against the Warriors’ top rated defense, Waiters was simply spectacular. He scored 33 points on 13-for-20 shooting, to go with five boards and four dimes. He also converted six of his eight attempts from three. Including one we’re going to be seeing on replays for a while.

With the clock winding down, the Heat without a timeout having just given up a game-tying dunk to Kevin Durant, Waiters calmly brought the ball down. Cool as a cucumber, he put that ball between his legs a couple of times while judging the clock. When the time was right, Waiters rose up over Klay Thompson, for the win.

Nothing but net. And like that, Waiters was Miami’s hero for a second game in a row.

It’s possible that Waiters is turning a corner in his career, and finally realizing the potential he had coming out of college. It’s also possible that this is just a flash, and Waiters will go back to being the inefficient player he always has been.

Either way, it’s been a lot of fun to watch, and I don’t want it to end. I can confidently say, I am officially an inhabitant of the fabled Waiters Island. Well, how could I not be?

May I ever believe in myself about anything as much as Dion Waiters believes in himself about everything pic.twitter.com/LayaSuVgtD — Dan Devine (@YourManDevine) January 24, 2017

The Heat now travel to Brooklyn on Wednesday night, to face the Nets. Game tips at 7:30. I can’t wait to see what Waiters has in store for us next. I bet it’ll be good.