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,...