The Miami Heat took care of business by securing a victory on the road against the Washington Wizards, 119-107, on Easter Sunday.
Coming off a franchise-best 60-point winning margin against Portland, Miami faced another team on its way to the NBA Draft Lottery and did not allow a letdown to push them further down in the Eastern Conference standings.
Another solid outing for Terry Rozier who continues to get comfortable in the Heat's system:
27 points, 11-19 FGs, 5-11 3PT, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 4 steals, +20 pic.twitter.com/cvEiXApnZ9
— Naveen Ganglani (@naveenganglani) April 1, 2024
Bam was once again the Heat's Mr. Consistent:
22 points, 6-12 FGs, 10-12 FTs, 9 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals pic.twitter.com/tKhyeWh2DV
— Naveen Ganglani (@naveenganglani) April 1, 2024
The Heat had a lackadaisical start to the game and even trailed the Wizards by eight in the second period. Miami countered with an 8-0 run and took a seven-point lead to the halftime break following Terry Rozier’s late bucket.
Duncan Robinson made his return and finished with only 6 points on 2-of-7 shooting, but his pair of long-range buckets broke the game open for the Heat early in the third period. Despite Washington’s efforts, Miami never relinquished the lead and cruised to win number 41 this regular season.
"Here's what the rotation is: whatever it takes. That's where we are. We've made this bed, where we are right now. Because of all the moving parts, everybody right now, it's easy – you just be ready for your minutes, contribute in a positive way, & help impact winning." – Spo. pic.twitter.com/47vxrcn1vg
— Naveen Ganglani (@naveenganglani) April 1, 2024
"I wouldn't say we've had success lately; we had it last year. We're not thinking about last year. Each season is its own deal. We're going for it. That's who we are." – Spo on pic.twitter.com/p3xOOg0bFc
— Naveen Ganglani (@naveenganglani) April 1, 2024
Here's Spo on Love not playing despite being activated but possibly being ready for the Heat's next game against the Knicks. pic.twitter.com/rvoLyzg0kF
— Naveen Ganglani (@naveenganglani) April 1, 2024
The Heat were still without Tyler Herro. Kevin Love was activated but did not see the court as Thomas Bryant earned the back-up big man minutes.
Miami shot 49.4% from the field and hit 14-of-36 from long range. The next game is on Tuesday against a Knicks team coming off two consecutive defeats. The Heat are 0-2 against New York this season.
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If the Heat have a fully healthy roster come playoff time, we can write in pen seven names that will be in the rotation: Terry Rozier, Tyler Herro, Duncan Robinson, Jimmy Butler, Caleb Martin, Bam Adebayo and Kevin Love. We can probably put second-year forward Nikola Jovic – who has been the team’s starting power forward since mid-February – in there, too. So let’s call it eight names in pen.
That could be the playoff rotation right there, but guys like Jaime
Jaquez Jr., Haywood Highsmith, Delon Wright and Thomas Bryant have also made a
case to play.
Bryant and Wright are options only in certain matchups or if someone
gets hurt or is in foul trouble.
Jaquez, one of the best rookies in this class, has hit a bit of a funk.
He’s averaging 8.3 points on 40% shooting (20% on 3s), 3.3 rebounds and 2.7
assists in 26.4 minutes over his last 10 games.
Meanwhile, Highsmith is playing his best basketball of the season. He
has scored in double-digits in four straight games and is averaging 15.8 points
on 63.2% shooting, 5.3 rebounds, 1.3 assists and a 1 block over that stretch.
Between his defense and 3-point shooting (up to 40.4% this season) Highsmith
making a case to potentially leap Jaquez on the postseason depth chart.
The final eight games will be telling. Depth has been a strength for the
Heat this season, but Spoelstra will have to offer more than Spoisms and make
real decisions if the Heat make the playoffs.
https://allucanheat.com/posts/erik-spoelstra-miami-heat-playoff-depth-chart?utm_campaign=FanSided+Daily&utm_source=FanSided+Daily&utm_medium=email&sc=e0273490fd355e2c28bdb25751d41af65a4dd80936ff00a80be9866c97887955
Breaking: Lebron James said this will be his last run in LA and is thinking of retiring or a new team in a reduced playing role on a Vegas expansion team, the Knicks or Heat!
Also, Pat Riley will forego his planned retirement after this season if James decided to be back in south beach. With these developments, Dwayne Wade has hinted on unretiring with the intent of joining James again in Miami. Happy April fool’s day!
You forget of Jimmy will activate his PO mode.
Joel Embiid is nearing a comeback as soon as Tuesday’s home game vs. OKC Thunder. Heat vs Knicks on Tuesday, vs 76ers on Thursday, at Houston Friday, at Indiana Sunday and at Atlanta next Tuesday. With a little luck (mostly bad) Heat could have 8th place all locked up by then or still be in the hunt for 6th or 7th.
Jimmy still not at his best.
I m a bit worried now.
He’s starting to show his age. He is in decline. He can’t perform consistently at an elite level, day in and day out. He is no longer Miami’s #1 option. Miami does not have an elite player, although Bam can get there if his offensive game continues developing. If the team does not get to 2nd round, I can see significant changes coming this summer.
no playoff jimmy coming it seems.maybe for a minute or two cant sustain for long time
Possibly.
Way too many block, missed shots, missed FTA, turnovers.
People got on my case a bit when I suggested possibly trading him in February or after the season. No doubt February would have been far too premature, but watching him this season has reminded me of watching Shaq in his last season here. Just seems to be going through the motions at times.
Also, you probably remember how a couple of people gave me pushback in January when I kept insisting that ALL games mattered when they said those games were unimportant. Now, everyone should see why they were important as we struggle to avoid the play-in.
AMEN RC. Some folks can see the handwriting on the wall. Some folks can’t. I hate seeing Bam giving everything he has every game and Butler coasting half the time. Bam deserves a better running mate. Ticket paying customers deserve a better effort.
there have been games not to recently where bam did not take a shot in the second half.games where he has not showed up either.lately bam has been balling out.theres no defeating father time sun man.trade jim to a team 1 piece away okc sac etc.teammates around him here not good enough i think he realizes that.my goal off season donovan and a pf c 2 wayer.
Bam has been working his ass off carrying the team while other players have been out (Herro, Butler, Love, Martin, etc.). He now realizes he must be looking to shoot because Jimmy isn’t always engaged and others may be having off nights. Rozier has come to the same conclusion. Hopefully Herro and Duncan can pick up the slack if Jimmy is no longer able to be the tem’s “go to guy.” That issue will need to be “fixed” this summer.
knicks whole front line injured that helps even mitch who just came back
Lots of NY fans crying if they’ve been healthy they might be at 2nd in east. If healthy. Welcome to our world, sheeesh. Thibs is running Brunson and Hart to the ground
nice to see Duncan back in the lineup. That dude is good as hell. Welcome back Dunc
Been very busy lately, watching only post-game highlights. Seems was a good game. Looking forward to wat ch full games next week when my schedule changes.
Good win in a must win game. The real tests are coming up in the next two weeks.
Embiid may be back for Thursday’s game. Next Sunday’s game in Indiana could mean the difference between 6th and 7th place. Herro is expected back in the next week or so, possibly at home against the Knicks on Tuesday.
It’s time for Miami to put it all together before the play-in round/playoffs begin.
GO HEAT!!!
Heat hav been flunking “real tests” but this stretch of games will be the last chance to avoid play-in. Hope they pass and get that 6th spot
I’d like to see a second unit of Bryant, Love, Highsmith, with Delon at pg. For sg, if Herro is available, him. If not, whoever is playing best amongst Jaquez, Martin, Mills. I know Spo won’t go 10 deep, I just happen to like this combo.
Bryant keeps showing why he should be part of it. He isn’t great, but he is good, and when Bam needs a breather, he’s the best we got.
Wright looks like he has fit well into JRich’s spot. If he can just start making 3’s and lay-ups he’ll be fine. I love his defense and extremely low turnover rate (5.02:1 over past two seasons) third best in NBA. Jaquez is not himself since his groin injury. If he does not pick it up, he may find himself out of the rotation once the post-season arrives. Love and Bryant are both good options to have in the frontcourt. The rotation will get very interesting once Herro returns.
Good bounce back win after the last matchup against them. Scary Terry is flash Jr the way he moves…. so deadly. 5 players in double figures with great passing and shooting, now let’s keep stacking up them W’s .
I know. Terry’s quickness adds a dimension we were lacking. So happy to have him!
I explained when we got him that he isn’t a great shooter (percentage wise), but is a very good scorer. He is very quick, bringing the ball up quickly. He’s a willing passer with a solid assist to turnover ratio. He is tough as nails. He has a good handle and great moves getting to the basket. And he’s an okay defender.
I’m happy to have him too.
Most definitely feel the same way, also he’s another clutch performer for us who make game winners whenever Jimmy not feeling it.
Business-like win. Good to have a b2b W. Nice to see Dunc back need to get those legs (and hands) ready. I think Heat will get that 6th seed even if Pacers (half a game ahead) and Philly (1.5 games below us) has easier sked for these last games. But we’ll see.
we needed every bit of that 27 pts from terry. great win