Category: Miami Heat Blog

MIAMI — Observations and other notes of interest from Wednesday night’s 128-120 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder: – Well, this is getting interesting. – So when the Heat roster is whole (assuming such a time exists), who starts at power forward? – Nikola Jovic certainly has been tantalizing in these emergency starts, even earning closing-time minutes in this one. – Haywood Highsmith offered reminders Wednesday night why he was shifted into the starting role earlier this season, closing with a career scoring high. – And Caleb Martin said he is getting closer to a return from his ankle sprain,...

Observations and other notes of interest from Saturday night’s 117-109 loss to the Utah Jazz: – And here we go again. – Jimmy Butler back. – And then Jimmy Butler back out. – Saturday’s return cameo after missing four games due to a calf strain. – Then into the locker room and done for the night in the third period with a foot injury. – So much for only the eighth time this season  the Heat have had Bam Adebayo, Tyler Herro and Butler available for the same game. – As the heavy lifting has to continue for Herro and Adebayo. – And, yes, the Heat have found a win to preserve through injuries. –...

ORLANDO — Observations and other notes of interest from Wednesday night’s 115-106 victory over the Orlando Magic: – Building leads the Heat have been quite good at this season. – Retaining leads? Not so much. – That’s what made this one interesting as the lead moved into the 20s. – With Monday’s loss to the Timberwolves from 17 up still fresh in the mind. – For as many as the Heat have cycled through to start games this season, the overall record largely has been about the finishes. – In a season where there already have been a pair of blown 21-point leads, there rarely has been a sense of closure. –...

MIAMI – Observations and other notes of interest from Monday night’s 112-108 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves: – It was a game, even in defeat, that opened a window to what this all eventually could look like. – Now that Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro are back. – Even with a temporary wait on Kyle Lowry. – But you can see where Erik Spoelstra possibly is headed. – Which means Duncan Robinson providing the 3-point boost again off the bench. – With either Adebayo or Kevin Love at center. – (And possibly neither Orlando Robinson nor Thomas Bryant at all.) – With Caleb Martin and Haywood Highsmith...

MIAMI – Observations and other notes of interest from Thursday night’s 124-116 loss to the Chicago Bulls: – So let’s move past the result. – The bigger news for the Heat arguably came pregame. – Erik Spoelstra has been consistent when it has come to Tyler Herro updates. – “No new update.” – But Herro took care of that before Thursday night’s game, when he said he is targeting either Monday night at home against the Timberwolves or Wednesday night in Orlando for his return from the ankle sprain that has had him out since Nov. 8. – That would also have Herro out for Saturday’s rematch against...

Observations and other notes of interest from Wednesday night’s 115-104 victory over the Charlotte Hornets: – Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo were moving well on the bench. – Just not in uniform. – Haywood Highsmith felt good enough to get an on-court workout pregame. – The trends toward health are encouraging for the Heat. – Even with Josh Richardson sitting this one out. – Because for all you can get away with against the Hornets, more will be needed for the upcoming challenges. – Against Charlotte, the nine first-quarter turnovers weren’t fatal. – Nor was standing with 14 at the intermission. –...

Observations and other notes of interest from Monday night’s 116-114 victory over the Charlotte Hornets: – The NBA does not have a Comeback Player of the Year award, so that’s out for Duncan Robinson. – But there is a Most Improved Player award. – And the unexpected completeness of Robinson’s game certainly at least deserves consideration. – Monday night, when Jimmy Butler didn’t get started until the second half, when Kyle Lowry couldn’t get going because of back spasms, and when the roster again was shorthanded, Robinson’s diversity of offense proved essential. – On this night, a leading man. –...

Observations and other notes of interest from Wednesday night’s 112-103 victory over to the Toronto Raptors: – There are times when numbers can be empty calories. – Particularly first-half numbers. – But for Caleb Martin, this was different. – His 23 first-half points not only already were a season single-game scoring high, but rekindled visions of what he showed in last season’s Eastern Conference finals. – The Heat need that Martin, as they sort through starting options at power forward. – And Martin needs that Martin, with free agency looming at season’s end. – In the wake of offseason knee...

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...