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GAME PREVIEW: Heat play Sacramento Kings at home

Jimmy Butler is one of the lone bright spots of the Heat as of late, who has recorded 25+ points on great efficiency in each of his last two games.

Game story:

In a current franchise record since 2008 seven game losing streak, the Sacramento Kings will travel to South Florida to face the struggling Miami Heat. The Kings are winners of four straight and sport a 27-18 record, compared to Miami’s 24-23.

The Heat have a plethora of problems right now. It could even be things that a simple trade or lineup change may not even be able to justify much.

This is a personnel issue across the board, from the coaching staff to the entire roster.

The body language has been extremely concerning, and as each loss just keeps piling up, the entire energy of the team looks defeated.

Yesterday the Miami Heat held a film session only, rather than a team practice. There was optimism across the locker room that the team would benefit from this right now, some noting that “things were said that needed to be said.”

Having just film rather than practice is a different type of approach, but at this point Coach Spoelstra is willing to try anything to get this group back on the right track and motivated.

It was also rumored that team Captain Bam Adebayo held a players only meeting yesterday.

In the last loss against the Phoenix Suns, the only two possible bright spots were from the play of Jimmy Butler and Terry Rozier.

Butler dropped 26 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists, including 100% from 3 point range. This stat-line for Butler came after another impressive outing in an effort against the New York Knicks on Saturday.

Rozier showed plenty of signs and potential as a playmaking and scoring point guard for the Heat in the Suns lost. He tallied his first 20 point game on 50%+ shooting and 60%+ from beyond the arc.

As for the other two members of this Heat core in Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo, they have both been a serious slump. They haven’t shot the ball efficiently for pretty much this entire month of January, and it has gotten worse by the days.

The biggest positive from the last loss is that Miami showed signs the entire 4th quarter. They came and played with much more energy and effectiveness on both ends of the floor; it was just too little too late.

Now the next test comes tonight against this young and exciting Kings squad. Led by De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis, the Kings are one of the top teams in that Western Conference with loads of potential.

The Kings are coming off a 103-94 win against the Memphis Grizzlies. Fox recorded 23 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists.

However, the real player of the game went to Sabonis, who absolutely dominated with an insane 20 point, 26 rebound double double.

Containing Sabonis will bring a big test to Adebayo, who are at the very top of the list for the best big men in the NBA.

Let’s see if Miami can finally get over this hump and get one step in the right direction again with a huge, much needed win this evening.

Injury Report (at the time of this publishing):

Miami Heat:

  • Duncan Robinson (concussion protocol) — OUT
  • Cole Swider (g league) — Questionable
  • RJ Hampton (g league) — OUT
  • Orlando Robinson (g league) — OUT
  • Dru Smith (knee) — OUT

Sacramento Kings:

  • Sasha Vezenkov (ankle) — Questionable
  • Jordan Ford (g league) — OUT
  • Jalen Slawson (g league) — OUT

Projected Starting 5 (subject to change):

Miami Heat:

  • Terry Rozier, G
  • Tyler Herro, G
  • Jimmy Butler, F
  • Haywood Highsmith, F
  • Bam Adebayo, C

Sacramento Kings:

  • De’Aaron Fox, G
  • Kevin Huerter, G
  • Keegan Murray, F
  • Harrison Barnes, F
  • Domantas Sabonis, C

Betting Lines:

  • Check the current odds out at FanDuel!

Broadcast Info:

  • Tipoff: 7:30 PM EST
  • TV: Bally Sports Sun (Eric Reid, John Crotty)
  • Radio: AM 560 Sports WQAM & The HEAT Radio Network (Jason Jackson)
  • Spanish Radio: WAQI 710 AM & The HEAT Spanish Radio Network (José Pañeda)

Come back to Hot Hot Hoops at game time to join our GameThread and chat about the game live with other Heat fans!

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sweeterswish

Let’s get this win tonight and start a winning streak.

The losses are concerning, but none of this will matter come playoff time.

The Heat will figure this out. Best coach in the NBA will make it easier. We will get Terry Rozier acclimated and play better defense.

I recall folks in here saying that this team was better than last year’s team earlier in the season. Have faith my fellow Heat fanatics.

Alien

@ Dan Riccio.

“The Heat have a plethora of problems right now. It could even be things that a simple trade or lineup change may not even be able to justify much.
This is a personnel issue across the board, from the coaching staff to the entire roster.”

Thank you, Sir.

To fix a problem you must first understand the problem. I have been saying this all along. We are finding out that the Rozier trade is not fixing the problems.

Last edited 10 months ago by Alien
Bout30man

These next few games, what direction the team decides to take, matters a lot now. And because of that there has been some pretty spirited discussion from our passionate fans on HHH. All of the opinions have been useful and make this site a great place to check out as the season progresses.
I think one thing we all fairly much agree on is that Jimmy’s window is starting to close. And that could have a huge effect on what we decide on doing, if anything. I know it matters not what we say here, but it is fun to try to find a path. We were all having championship dreams after last season, and some of us still do. Only time will tell. Let’s remember what we all said here and see what happens from now.
Me, I am in the trade Ty for a big man, adding Jovic also, getting a real upgrade for that position. It may not happen even if it’s the best move, it may not happen because trades are difficult. But, that’s my best move on the chessboard.
Whatever happens….Go Heat, break that streak!

Alien

It can not be overstated that the Heat need an athletic big. They are hard to find but when I see other teams like Celtics put on the floor, bigs less known in the league (not referring to Porzingis, he is well known), I ask myself how did the Heat not see this guy.

Reality Czech

From Ira’s column:
Prior to Rozier’s arrival, the Heat had scored fewer than 100 points in four of their previous six games. The Heat went into Wednesday having scored 105 or more in three in a row.
We have to get everybody used to running, at that pace, because he can get up the court very quickly. He also can advance pass, which we need,” Spoelstra said.”

heat for life

roziers not the problem.whoever says that is clueless

Alien

He is absolutely not the problem neither is his the panacea as some earlier thought.There is much more to the problem as some denialist are finding out now.

Reality Czech

I can’t speak for others, but I never thought Rozier was going to come here and be Dwyane Wade. What I did think, and will continue to feel, is he is a significant upgrade at the pg position.

heat for life

does anybody know why spo keeps on playing love.jeez eric pls open your eyes

vagibugi

No expectations for this one.
We need 20-30 % improvement from last game just to be able to compete.

ManilaHeat

Here we go again…Go Heat!

Belacqua

I like the film session only prep for this one. We need fresh legs, and hard practice on a rough azz streak like this one feels like just rehearsing failure

Last edited 10 months ago by Belacqua
2qbn

Agree. Plus the airing of grievances

Alien

lol!

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