Category: Miami Heat Blog

BOSTON — Observations and other notes of interest from Wednesday night’s 118-84 NBA playoff loss to the Boston Celtics: – So what did we learn about the 2023-24 Heat? – Not nearly enough. – If anything. – Be it because of Jimmy Butler’s indifference to the regular season. – Or be it because of the injury-depleted state of the roster in the playoffs. – Yes, there were a few feel-good stories along the way, from the development of Jaime Jaquez Jr. to the emergence of Nikola Jovic. – But in the end? Only questions. – And an empty feeling. – What Boston showed is that no matter the state of...

MIAMI — Observations and other notes of interest from Monday night’s 102-88 NBA playoff loss to the Boston Celtics: – Yes, this is about the Celtics. – Whose depth of talent is such that even Derrick White can be a leading man. – Whose depth of talent is such that they can survive a calf injury to Kristaps Porzingis. – And, yes, this also is about the Heat’s shorthanded roster, as Jimmy Butler and Terry Rozier continue to look on from the bench in street clothes. – But it also is about the Heat reducing their odds because of their approach to the regular season. – With one more win, the...

BOSTON — Observations and other notes of interest from Monday night’s 111-101 NBA playoff victory over the Boston Celtics: – No, it’s not as simple as Erik Spoelstra assembling his players at Tuesday’s practice and Wednesday morning’s shootaround at TD Garden and telling them to make 3-pointers. – (Typically coaches do not demand, “Do not miss!”) – But in this series, to be competitive while shorthanded, the Heat need to junk it up. – Typically, that has the Heat trying to play in the mud, the type of slow-paced defensive grind that makes you wonder what else is on. – This time, they...

MIAMI — Observations and other notes of interest from Friday night’s 112-91 NBA play-in victory over the Chicago Bulls: – No, not necessarily among Friday night’s biggest storylines on a night the Heat found their way to victory in the absences of Jimmy Butler and Terry Rozier. – Certainly not bigger than Tyler Herro’s effort. – But perhaps among the most significant. – Because to compete against the Celtics, it likely will have to come over the top from the Heat. – As in the shooting of Duncan Robinson. – While not necessarily up to full speed, merely having Robinson on the court at least...

PHILADELPHIA – Observations and other notes of interest from Wednesday night’s 105-104 NBA play-in loss to the Philadelphia 76ers: – The zone defense was energizing and effective. – The effort on that end of the floor was undeniable. – Could not have been much better. – But you also have to score. – Which made this much like the Heat’s season. – Heart and hustle will get you to places such as the play-in. – Points will put you over the top. – This is why the Heat got Terry Rozier. – And this is why the Heat badly missed Rozier in this one. – Tyler Herro couldn’t make a shot until late. –...

MIAMI -– Observations and other notes of interest from Friday night’s 125-103 victory over the Toronto Raptors: – Don’t believe the hype. – Yes, the Heat can move to No. 6 in the East and out of the play-in with a Sunday victory and a Sunday loss by the Magic, as well as a loss by the 76ers or Pacers. – The Heat assuredly will be playing to win, with potential homecome in the play-in at stake. – But the Bucks, the Magic’s opponent Sunday, have shown little desire to finish second in the East. – Damian Lillard sat on Friday night for the Bucks and more could sit Sunday, beyond injured...

MIAMI -– Observations and other notes of interest from Wednesday night’s 111-92 loss to the Dallas Mavericks: – At one point, the way this one was playing out, a running clock might have been the way to go. – Now the question is whether time is running out for the Heat. – A week from Friday, this could be over. – Because how, after nights such as this, could anyone have confidence against Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and the 76ers in a Tuesday play-in opener, especially in Philadelphia? – And if a loss then, it comes down to a winner-take-all game at Kaseya Center against the winner of...

ATLANTA — Observations and other notes of interest from Tuesday night’s 117-111 double-overtime victory over the Atlanta Hawks: – That Tyler Herro continues to step up is encouraging. – As is Jimmy Butler playing more in attack mode. – Bam Adebayo hitting threes. – And Nikola Jovic continues to emerge. – But on the other end of the spectrum, the Heat’s role players continue to show their limitations. – Jaime Jaquez Jr. appears to be hitting a wall. – Caleb Martin couldn’t hit a shot in this one. – Kevin Love has ceded minutes at backup center to Jovic. – Which only confirms the obvious: It...

INDIANAPOLIS — Observations and other notes of interest from Sunday night’s 117-115 loss to the Indiana Pacers: – So a play-in opener against Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and the 76ers? – Or a play-in opener against Tyrese Haliburton, Heat killer T.J. McConnell and the Pacers? – Either possibly on the road. – No, Sunday did not produce the type of clarity the Heat wanted and needed. – Even while fighting the good fight to the finish. – Instead, Erik Spoelstra’s unit is looking like a team that even might require a second play-in game to make the playoffs. – Which would be either against DeMar...

MIAMI – Observations and other notes of interest from Thursday night’s 109-105 loss to  the Philadelphia 76ers: – Ahead of the game, Heat coach Erik Spoelstra spoke about how it already felt like the playoffs. – That it did. – What it didn’t feel like was enough from Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo. – While the 76ers got plenty from their leading men, the same could not be said for the Heat. – Essentially, Butler and Adebayo did not measure up to Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid. – So for all the contributions elsewhere for the Heat, it wasn’t enough. – Yes, Butler came on late. – But wasn’t...