Category: Miami Heat Blog

MIAMI – Observations and other notes of interest from Tuesday night’s 116-107 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers: – There was a moment before Tuesday night’s game when the question was why Jimmy Butler was playing. – Or, more to the point, why the Heat were putting Butler at risk. – Because just before the opening tip came word of the Suns sending out a prime first-round pick to the Jazz for three lesser first-round picks in return. – The exact type of haul needed by the Suns to leverage a trade of Butler. – With Phoenix very much Butler’s preferred destination. – Yes, there are many moving...

Observations and other notes of interest from Thursday night’s 128-115 loss to the Indiana Pacers: – No, we’re not going to go through the Heat mantra that last season was painted on the court during City Edition nights. – You know, the one about, “Hardest working . . . ” – But do consider each one of those touchstones and then consider Jimmy Butler’s performances the past two nights. – Yes, illness can sap. – And 13 days off requires a degree of build up. – But after missing 10 of the season’s first 30 games, something more could, would and should be expected. – This, of course, comes after...

Observations and other notes of interest from Wednesday night’s 119-108 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans: – When it came to rookie big men Wednesday night at Kaseya Center, the hype clearly was with Pelicans center Yves Missi, the No. 21 pick out of Baylor. – Entering the night, Missi stood first among rookies in double-doubles and rebounds per game, third in blocks per game. – Such are the benefits of playing time. – Albeit while losing. – By contrast, Heat first-round pick Kel’el Ware, the No. 15 pick out of Indiana, has largely had to bide his time. – But Wednesday, as the Heat regained...

Observations and other notes of interest from Sunday night’s 104-100 victory over the Houston Rockets: – So much of this game said so much about who the Heat are and what they want to be. – When push came to shove, they pushed and shoved. – Showing, just like the victory a few Sundays back against Cleveland, that the fight remains. – But it also showed how difficult it can be at times. – This one as much of a struggle at times as Saturday’s loss in Atlanta. – This time they made shots. – And, so, ballgame. – But as a possible future without Jimmy Butler is considered, this one also showed that...

ATLANTA — Observations and other notes of interest from Saturday’s 120-110 loss to the Atlanta Hawks: – Typically emotion can be difficult to muster for an afternoon game. – Prior to Saturday’s tipoff, Heat coach Erik Spoelstra joked about the potential need for another cup of coffee. – But he was plenty caffeinated when asked about the Kings’ Friday decision to dismiss coach Mike Brown less than two years after Brown led Sacramento to the playoffs and was named NBA Coach of the Year. – For Spoelstra, this was personal. – “I texted with him last night,” Spoelstra said. “It’s just a really sad...

ORLANDO — Observations and other notes of interest from Thursday night’s 89-88 victory over the Orlando Magic: – Because this is who they are. – And who they have to be. – Tyler Herro with the dramatics. – And a lot of grit and grime otherwise. – Even with Jimmy Butler. – Or, in this case, without. – No, not pretty. – But needed. – Especially after a day of Butler-a-go-go. – Granted the Magic were without their two best players. – But who is going to be picky after what happened last time in this building? – No, this team does not score with grace or ease. – Especially amid a struggle like Bam...

MIAMI – Observations and other notes of interest from Monday night’s 110-95 victory over the Brooklyn Nets: – Well this sucks. – Truly, truly sucks. – Days from an expected move to a standard contract that would more than double his salary, Dru Smith went down with 8:18 to play in the second period, seemingly instantly aware of the major damage to his left leg. – Helped off the court, with his wife joining him in the tunnel leading to the locker room. – This for a player who had spent months recovering from last season’s devastating injury to his right knee. – Recovering to the point of making...

ORLANDO – Observations and other notes of interest from Saturday night’s 121-114 loss to the Orlando Magic: – This was no time for easing off the gas. – Not when a two-game losing streak could have turned into three. – Not with Jimmy Butler back in Miami with a stomach illness. – But, most importantly, not after what happened Monday night in Detroit. – That’s when the Pistons opened without Tobias Harris and Jaden Ivey and then lost Isaiah Stewart early. – And still found a way to beat the Heat in overtime. – Even with Butler going for a triple-double. – This time, the opposition was a Magic...

DETROIT – Observations and other notes of interest from Monday night’s 125-124 overtime loss to the Detroit Pistons: – Tyler Herro and Cade Cunningham both stated their cases in this one. – Each seeking to become a first-time All-Star. – Each doing what they do best. – Cunningham filling the boxscore with a triple-double for the Pistons. – Herro providing late theatrics to force overtime for the Heat. – The kids are coming. – As we saw in this one. – For both Herro and Cunningham, any All-Star berth likely will mean a reserve spot behind the likes of Damian Lillard, Donovan Mitchell, Jalen Brunson...

MIAMI — Observations and other notes of interest from Thursday night’s 114-104 victory over the Toronto Raptors: — The Nikola Jovic takeover in the second period was about more than Nikola Jovic. — It was about more than his 11 points in the quarter. — It was about a Heat second unit still in search of identity. — Part of that identity was lost with the ankle sprain that has sidelined Pelle Larsson. — Part of it is Terry Rozier still attempting to find his way as a reserve for the first time in years. — Part of it is second-year Jaime Jaquez Jr. not looking anything like first-year Jaime Jaquez...