Category: Miami Heat Blog

MIAMI — Observations and other notes of interest from Sunday night’s 122-105 victory over the Charlotte Hornets: – There were times after the Feb. 6 trade of Jimmy Butler to the Warriors that the question was whether the Heat got anything tangible in return. – Now, as Golden State and Butler arrive at Kaseya Center for Tuesday night’s game, the Heat have a definitive answer. – Two nights after scoring 30 in the loss to the Rockets, Andrew Wiggins again was filling it up. – This time reaching 30 with 4:54 to play in the third period. – And not stopping there, on the way to 42. – Suddenly it...

MIAMI — Observations and other notes of interest from Friday night’s 102-98 loss to the Houston Rockets: – After nine consecutive losses, the Miami Heat need a jolt. – Andrew Wiggins was that jolt. – With his 20-point second period the highest-scoring quarter of his career. – It was an affirmation that something good still might come from the Jimmy Butler trade. – With the timing on cue, with Butler and the Warriors arriving on Tuesday. – Wiggins was back after being sidelined the previous two games with a lower-leg contusion. – “He’s a major part of what we try to do. It’s great to have...

MIAMI — Observations and other notes of interest from Wednesday night’s 116-113 loss to the Detroit Pistons: – This wasn’t about getting beaten by a banked-in 3-pointer. – It wasn’t about balls bouncing the wrong way. – And as much as the points in the paint hurt, and as much as the defense could have done more . . . – This was about again being unable to run offense when needed most. – This time 20 points in the fourth quarter. – Sound familiar? – Is there a point guard in the house? – As we seemingly have asked over and over and over. – It wasn’t until Bam Adebayo found Kel’el Ware with...

NEW YORK — Observations and other notes of interest from Monday night’s 116-95 loss to the New York Knicks: – It was a typical night from a Heat perspective. – Another loss, with the losing streak now at eight. – Another loss to the Knicks, the six loss to New York in the team’s past seven meetings. – Another game of mix-and-matchup lineups, when nothing mixed well or matched up. – From a Madison Square Garden perspective, however, not typical. – With comedian and actor Tracy Morgan wheeled off the court in a wheelchair after taking ill during the third quarter. Tracy Morgan getting...

Observations and other notes of interest from Saturday night’s 125-91 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies: – The lesson of recent weeks and even games such as Saturday is this: The Heat are good enough to compete for stretches against elite competition. – And then reality hits home. – As it did in Saturday night’s seventh consecutive loss. – For stretches earlier this season, there at least were the occasional nights when the Heat had the best player on the court. – Whether it was Tyler Herro or Bam Adebayo. – Now those two routinely stand second (or worse) to an opposing player (or two or...

MIAMI — Observations and other notes of interest from Friday night’s 103-91 loss to the Boston Celtics: – Erik Spoelstra offered the breadcrumbs during his pregame media session. –”I think for us, we’re simplifying,” the Heat coach said. “It really does become about us. You say that a lot, and sometimes that’s a cliche in this league. We have to take care of what we’re doing. We have to get to our identity. We have to really try to impact the game on our terms.” – Identity, as in the known. – As in experimentation on hold. – So the big lineup? – Kel’el Ware back to playing off the bench. –...

MIAMI — Observations and other notes of interest from Wednesday night’s 119-104 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers: – This was never going to be a straight-line progression. – Not with a 20-year-old rookie still growing into his 7-foot body. – Which is why they call it a learning curve. – So as uneven as it was for Kel’el Ware in Monday night’s loss against Mark Williams and the Hornets, it was arguably worse in Wednesday night’s first half against Ivica Zubac and the Clippers. – So at the start of the second half, Ware was on the bench, with Haywood Highsmith opening the third quarter in his...

MIAMI — Observations and other notes of interest from Monday night’s 105-102 loss to the Charlotte Hornets: – And now cannot even vanquish a 15-49 opponent. – One that now is 16-49 courtesy of the Heat. – Oh, and it gets worse. – Well, technically not worse, because this sure feels like rock bottom. – But tougher, far tougher. – What follows will offer the ultimate tell of where this all is headed for the Heat. – (Is the No. 10 seed actually out of the question at this point?) – The Clippers at Kaseya Center on Wednesday night (8 p.m., make note). – The Celtics at Kaseya Center on Friday...

CLEVELAND — Observations and other notes of interest from Wednesday night’s 112-107 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers: – Put aside the Heat absences for a moment, if that is possible with so many missing faces on Wednesday night. – And then consider the reality of the Heat’s situation. – Even after this unexpectedly competitive fight. – If they do make it out of the play-in round (which appears to be their postseason starting spot again), then it could be Heat-Cavaliers in the best-of-seven opening round. – Such is what happens when you’re not good enough for a good seeding. – (With the Heat...

MIAMI – Observations and other notes of interest from Monday night’s 106-90 victory over the Washington Wizards: – Like many Heat fans over the years, Rony Seikaly did not have to wait for the finish, – The former Heat center was in the building to see Bam Adebayo break his franchise all-time record for double-doubles. – Mission accomplished with 47.2 seconds to play in the second period when Adebayo secured his 10th rebound of the night. – Already with 12 points at the stage. – Earlier in the period, Seikaly was introduced on the big screen as the franchise’s all-time leader in...