Category: Miami Heat Blog

MIAMI – Observations and other notes of interest from Wednesday night’s 131-109 victory over the Atlanta Hawks: – Wednesday was another one of those days when the Heat spoke of hope for a move up the standings. – Of somehow avoiding the play-in round for a third consecutive season. – It is a narrative that is about to expire. – One being punctured by the Detroit Pistons. – Who are for real. – As evidenced by Wednesday night’s 117–97 victory over the Celtics. – To repeat: By 20. – Over the Celtics. – No, Detroit is not going anywhere. – Currently also with the tiebreaker advantage over the...

MILWAUKEE — Observations and other notes of interest from Sunday night’s 120-113 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks: – Heat coach Erik Spoelstra spoke pregame about how nothing is necessarily set in his rotation since the team’s overhaul at the NBA trading deadline three weeks ago. – It felt otherwise. – Until a jolt was delivered at halftime. – First, the Heat stayed with their preferred post-trade starting lineup of Bam Adebayo, Andrew Wiggins, Kel’el Ware, Tyler Herro and Davion Mitchell, which entered 1-1. – From there, Nikola Jovic and Duncan Robinson again entered together as the first two...

MIAMI — Observations and other notes of interest from Monday night’s 103-85 loss to the Boston Celtics: – Hope ruled the morning. – “Stuff happened and it feels like a new team,” Heat center Bam Adebayo said after shootaround. – Reality ruled the evening. – For all the volume the Heat secured at last week’s NBA trading deadline for Jimmy Butler, they did not secure a star. – That’s not who Andrew Wiggins is. – Nor Davion Mitchell. – Or Kyle Anderson. – Each a supporting player. – And with Tyler Herro out with a stomach illness, not much support on this night. – With all due respect to...

NEW YORK – Observations and other notes of interest from Friday night’s 102-86 loss to the Brooklyn Nets: – Eight consecutive nights on the road is testing enough, a trail from San Antonio to Chicago, Philadelphia and then this one in Brooklyn. – Eight consecutive nights on the road with the trading deadline mixed in is even more challenging. – In this one, the Heat had the look of a team needing a taste of home. – Which they will get for just a single game, Monday against the Celtics at Kaseya Center, before heading back out to Oklahoma City and Dallas ahead of the All-Star break. – In...

MIAMI – Observations and other notes of interest from Wednesday night’s 126-106 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers: – Tyler or no Tyler? – That will become known by 7 p.m. Thursday, when Eastern Conference reserves are named for the All-Star Game. – For Heat guard Tyler Herro, it figures to be a close call. – No more than six guards from the East can make it, based on roster rules. – Already in as Eastern Conference backcourt starters are Donovan Mitchell and Jalen Brunson. – Both highly deserving. – As Mitchell certainly showed in this one on Wednesday night. – From there, logic says that...

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...

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...

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...

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...