Category: NBA
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MIAMI – Observations and other notes of interest from Tuesday night’s 121-95 victory over the Orlando Magic:
– This is where the talk of a Heat Big Three largely should be reserved as a lower-case description.
– Because for all that (regular-season) Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro provide, it is a trio that also requires ample support.
– In this one, they got it.
– Because at least during the regular season, an ensemble is what best suits the mix.
– It keeps everyone engaged on offense.
– Which also makes it easier to keep everyone engaged on defense.
– So at the end of the third...
Heat ride rotation reset to 121-95 rout of Magic behind Butler’s 23
MIAMI – It probably is too early to say whether the Miami Heat definitively have found a better way.
But Tuesday night, coach Erik Spoelstra made clear it was time for a different way.
So he changed his starting lineup, altered his rotation, redefined some responsibilities and saw his team put together one of its best performances in weeks.
With Jimmy Butler leading the way, and with Terry Rozier finding his way, the Heat pushed past the Orlando Magic 121-95 Tuesday night at Kaseya Center, their third victory in the last four games.
Butler, playing more as a point guard than previously this...
Winderman’s view: A reliable Richardson ultimately a boost to Heat, even with loss
MIAMI – Observations and other notes of interest from Sunday night’s 103-95 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers:
– There were times when Josh Richardson appeared he was going to be shuffled out of the Heat mix.
– And for one game, against the Knicks in New York, he was.
– Then Duncan Robinson banged his head on the court at Madison Square Garden, with NBA concussion protocol following.
– Then Kyle Lowry was traded.
– And Sunday, there was no Tyler Herro, whose headache could have been a Heat headache when Herro was ruled out.
– To his credit, after a shaky, injury-marred start to the...
Winderman’s view: Kevin Love again with another quality Heat relief effort
WASHINGTON – Observations and other notes of interest from Friday night’s 110-102 victory over the Washington Wizards:
– It was just over a year ago when the Heat added Kevin Love on the 2023 buyout market.
– It was a move that continues to pay dividends.
– With that again the case on Friday night, Love with a double-double within his first 20 minutes on the floor.
– Again providing quality relief for Bam Adebayo.
– Something the Heat continue to look for when Jimmy Butler dares take a rest.
– Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said pregame that keeping Love in a stable minutes range has provided...
And now a winning streak: Heat make it two in a row with 110-102 victory in Washington
WASHINGTON – And now . . . a winning streak.
A game after snapping a seven-game losing streak, the Miami Heat remained on the right side of the ledger Friday night, this time with a 110-102 victory over the lottery-bound Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena.
Granted, this wasn’t quite the challenge of Wednesday night’s slump-busting victory over the Sacramento Kings, but this also was a game the Heat could not afford to kick away, which actually appeared possible, after falling behind by 11 early.
With a rugged closing stretch to the All-Star break, a six-game schedule that includes...
Bam Adebayo named Eastern Conference reserve as lone Heat representative in NBA All-Star Game
WASHINGTON – For the third time in his career and for the second consecutive year, Bam Adebayo is an NBA All-Star. He also is the Miami Heat’s lone All-Star.
A week after the All-Star starters in each conference were decided in weighted balloting by fans, media and players, the seven reserves in each conference were announced Thursday, after balloting by conference coaches.
An All-Star in 2020 and ’23, Adebayo becomes the first Heat player selected to consecutive All-Star Games since Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh in 2015 and ’16.
Jimmy Butler, an All-Star with the Heat in 2020 and ’22, was...
Winderman’s view: Heat’s supporting cast supports when needed most
MIAMI — Observations and other notes of interest from Wednesday night’s 115-106 victory over the Sacramento Kings:
– This was about the little things.
– Which, to a degree, is what this superstar-less Miami Heat team is about.
– (With all due respect to playoff Jimmy Butler.)
– To be at their best, the Heat have to be at their collective best.
– Which means Jaime Jaquez Jr. again bringing the energy.
– Caleb Martin playing with a fast twitch.
– Kevin Love adding the subtleties.
– Josh Richardson getting back to his Rook 2 form from a previous Heat era.
– Those all were there Wednesday...
After an unlucky seven, Heat snap skid with 115-106 victory over Kings behind Butler’s 31
MIAMI – The last time the Miami Heat had won a game:
– Taylor Swift wasn’t yet headed to the Super Bowl.
– Joel Embiid and Luka Doncic had yet to score 70.
– And Ron DeSantis still was a presidential candidate.
That was back on Jan. 15 when there was a one-point escape in overtime at Barclays Center against the Brooklyn Nets.
Much had changed in the interim, except for the losses that extended the Heat’s losing streak to seven, their longest in nearly 16 years.
Wednesday night at Kaseya Center, there finally was an exhale, with a 115-106 victory over the Sacramento Kings, the 1,500th...
Winderman’s view: Reality is it doesn’t take much to beat Heat these days
MIAMI – Observations and other notes of interest from Monday night’s 118-105 loss to the Phoenix Suns:
– Monday’s Exhibit of A of The Heat Still Being Too Small?
– Drew Eubanks had 11 first-quarter points for the Suns.
– Drew.
– Eubanks.
– Which can happen when there is no semblance of a combination of size and ambulatory beyond Bam Adebayo.
– Where have you gone Cody Zeller?
– Heat Nation turns its lonely eyes to you.
– Then, at halftime, Eric Gordon stood tied with Eubanks for the Suns’ scoring lead, when Phoenix led by 13.
– As in 35-year-old Eric Gordon.
– Because a 35-year-old can do...