Category: Miami Heat Blog

NEW YORK — Observations and other notes of interest from Saturday night’s 112-97 loss to the Brooklyn Nets: – If not for a pair of blown 21-point leads, this could have been a 4-1 trip. – Instead, 2-3. – But there still is upside. – With Saturday closing the Heat’s opening run of 12 of 17 on the road, 10-7 hardly is the worst outcome. – Yes, some got away. – But this wasn’t in that category. – This was making sure Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo were right for what comes next. – An actual homestand. – No, the competition over these first 17 hardly was overwhelming, but the travel was. – So rest,...

CLEVELAND – Observations and other notes of interest from Wednesday  night’s 129-96 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers: – We Have Enough 1, Doubt 0. – It’s almost as if this is who the Heat are. – So no Bam Adebayo? – Thomas Bryant and Orlando Robinson step up to the moment. – After barely stepping on the court previously. – Against one of the NBA’s biggest frontcourts, the Heat somewhat managed to stand tallest Wednesday night, as Adebayo rested recurring hip soreness. – So Bryant did enough. – Robinson did enough. – And, yes, the Heat had enough, even on a night there also was no Tyler Herro...

Observations and other notes of interest from Tuesday night’s 111-105 victory over the Charlotte Hornets: – Sometimes it’s the little things. – At the end of a week on the road, that often can make the difference. – Tuesday night, it was Haywood Highsmith making that difference. – Injected into the starting lineup to add vitality to the mix, Highsmith did that again against the Hornets. – This time it was four first-half steals. – A total that matched his career single-game high. – He also converted 3-pointers when needed. – And basically never stopped moving. – In a starting lineup with Jimmy...

Observations and other notes of interest from Sunday night’s 118-113 victory over the San Antonio Spurs: – Duncan Robinson. – Value contract. – For all that has been uneven for the Heat at the start of this season, the ultimate revelation has been Duncan Robinson. – Because it hasn’t just been Robinson at the arc. – It also has been Robinson inside the arc. – As it was again Sunday. – On this night, as much of a threat as Bam Adebayo. – Yes, there still will be nights when the shot is off. – As there are for most 3-point shooters. – Which was the case Saturday in Atlanta for Robinson. – But...

Observations and other notes of interest from Saturday night’s 117-109 victory over the Atlanta Hawks: – Because this is what the Heat do, find a way to make it a game even when the roster says otherwise. – This time no Jimmy Butler or Tyler Herro. – But, as coach Erik Spoelstra said pregame, “We have a lot of guys that have been chomping at the bit to try to get more minutes, and they’re going to get their opportunity now. The guys are prepared.” – So Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Duncan Robinson as starters. – A return by Kevin Love. – Time for Dru Smith and Jamal Cain. – And there it stood, a 21-point...

Observations and other notes of interest from Monday night’s 108-107 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers: – Perhaps it meant more against his hometown team. – But Jaime Jaquez Jr. could not have proven any better that he belonged than a pair of early steals when matched up against LeBron James. – Jaquez continues to inject life into the second unit. – But the first-round pick also is best when active. – Not when parked in a corner as a 3-point spacer. – That’s not who he is. – The expectation might have been Jaquez as a placeholder for Caleb Martin, when Martin pushes past his knee issue. –...

Observations and other notes of interest from Friday night’s 121-114 victory over the Washington Wizards: – On a night of bells and whistles, the goal was singular. – A “W”. – Yes, the court was red – very, very red – for the Heat’s inaugural In-Season Tournament game. – And, yes, the City Edition jerseys said “Culture” across the chest, in case anyone wasn’t already beaten over the head with the concept during last season’s playoff run. – But entering 1-4, this wasn’t about fashion statements or haute couture. – It was about slowly removing stench. – From a start to the season that otherwise...

Observations and other notes of interest from Monday night’s 122-114 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks: – This increasingly is looking like a season of Herro ball. – Or at least least a regular season of that. – Or at least the start of a regular season of that. – On the nights when Tyler Herro is efficient, the boost is tangible for the Heat. – As was the case on Monday night. – At other times, when the shots are forced, it becomes an entire team out of sync. – Apparent already is that Jimmy Butler is easing his way into the season. – Now Bam Adebayo is ailing. – And it’s not as if this has the look...

Observations and other notes of interest from Saturday night’s 106-90 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves: – This was one of those nights when you could see the possibilities if the Heat consistently were in win-now mode. – Nikola Jovic created his moments on the boards and from the 3-point line. – But win-now means minutes instead for Kevin Love, who sat this one out with a shoulder issue. – Jamal Cain showed the type of athleticism this roster otherwise lacks. – But that was with Jimmy Butler taking the night off. – Jaime Jaquez Jr. showed unusual poise for a rookie. – But this is a team that...

Observations and other notes of interest from Friday night’s 119-111 loss to the Boston Celtics at TD Garden: – Going to be interesting to see how Erik Spoelstra handles the back end of this first of 13 Heat back-to-back sets this season on Saturday night in Minnesota. – This is, after all, a team that starts 34-year-old Jimmy Butler, 35-year-old Kevin Love and 37-year-old Kyle Lowry. – It also is a team with not much in the way of proven depth behind Love at power forward and Lowry at point guard, albeit with a solid effort Friday from Dru Smith. – Plus, the Timberwolves game is non-conference,...