It has seemed like everything that could have gone bad for the Miami Heat this season, has gone bad. Some could argue it has been that way ever since the end of the 2023 playoffs actually. Miami is in the midst of a three-game losing streak and has dropped to the Eastern Conference’s ninth seed with a 17-17 overall record.
Of course, Jimmy Butler is still two games into serving his seven-game suspension. So the Heat have had to embrace a new-look roster on the fly with a true Butler-less core. They are also now 5-6 in games without the star in the lineup.
Their latest 17-point blown fourth quarter lead against the Sacramento Kings on Sunday is just another epic collapse to what has been a rough 2024-25 season.
Miami has been in desperate need of an overdue bounce back win, and they won’t have an easy task in doing so against Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors tonight. It will be the second night of a back-to-back and the Heat’s third game in four nights. Over the last 10 matchups between these two teams, each squad is 5-5.
The biggest thing to watch for the Heat tonight will be if Bam Adebayo can snap out of his horrid shooting woes as of late. In what has been an inconsistent offensive season from the All-Star big man, he is now up to 24% shooting over his last two games. He only managed to go six for 19 against Sacramento after failing to hit a single field goal during Saturday’s loss to the Utah Jazz.
In what was supposed to be a career year from Adebayo, he has dropped to a career-low 45% shooting this season. Can the Heat get a bounce back effort from their captain and the rest of the rotation tonight?
Injury Report (at the time of this publishing):
Miami Heat:
- NOT YET SUBMITTED.
Golden State Warriors:
- Jonathan Kuminga (ankle) — OUT
- Gary Payton || (calf) — OUT
- Brandin Podziemski (abdominal) — OUT
Projected Starting 5 (subject to change):
Miami Heat:
- Terry Rozier, G
- Tyler Herro, G
- Haywood Highsmith, F
- Jaime Jaquez Jr, F
- Bam Adebayo, C
Golden State Warriors:
- Stephen Curry, G
- Dennis Schroder, G
- Andrew Wiggins, F
- Draymond Green, F
- Trayce Jackson-Davis, C
Broadcast Info:
- Tipoff: 10:00 PM EST
- TV: FanDuel Sports Network 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)
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I don’t buy the Jimmy is only asking out for the money angle about Jimmy that is going on around this thread. Jimmy only wants to win and he knows it can’t happen here. Coming close to medium teams is to be expected with this teams quality. What will be rare are Heat wins against the upper echelon. Jimmy sees that better than anyone and he knows he doesn’t have much time left. Most are also questioning why he was suspended for only saying he lost his joy in playing here. In fact, there may be some response from the players association coming particularly over his fine. The NBA writers and pundits see it that way. I counted three more articles just today, after at least 8 previously, pointing the finger at the Heat management and a lack of a supporting cast. That is what the experts think but I guess people gonna believe what they want.
If he only wanted to win, why would his people be telling Memphis and Milwaukee not to trade for him? He would have a great chance with either team.
It’s the contract that is holding up a trade. There are several teams that would love to have him. If what you say is true, I am surprised.
There’s a story about it here on HHH between this preview and the game thread.
Report: Multiple NBA teams were told to not trade for Jimmy Butler
Curious which national writers you are reading. Most of what I’m hearing is this is partially Pat Riley’s fault for being too “old school”. But also that Jimmy has done this for literally every team he’s played for. The only people I’ve heard putting all the blame on Riley are Boston pundits, and that’s because Riley has beaten them so many times that they’ll jump at any chance to pile on him
Also, Jimmy wants to go to the Suns and Warriors, and those teams are worse than the Heat. He’s just doing the same thing he does everywhere, spoiling the nest so he can go where he wants. And I don’t even hate him for it. It’s his life, he should be able to play where he wants. As long as the Heat don’t get stuck with some sort of terrible Brad Beal or Andrew Wiggins contract, send him wherever
I like what this guy says here.
Part of what fascinates me about the Jimmy Butler saga is that, because of the Over-38 rule, he can only guarantee himself one extra year of max salary with an extension.
Someone who’s made $300+ million is doing all this for one extra year. Idk. Doesn’t feel worth it to me. Sam Quinn
I have seen this comment too but didn’t have time to repost it here. Yes, Jimmy indeed can sign only for 2 years 111 mil $. This situation raises interesting question whether it is worth for him to play hardball for a few millions, but If you think about it, he might easily be losing 30-35 million should he be signing a new contract in 2026. DeRozan makes 23-25 mil per season and he is a similar player of similar age. Anyway, apparently for Jimmy 20-25 mil $ are well worth the hassle.
beale for butler id like to see us add him.rc says hes bad for the apron
literally the worst contract in the NBA. Heat would be better off paying Jimmy to stay home
Yup. The move appears to be keep him and let him leave in summer or sign and trade if he opts in.
Not so much the apron. More the size of the contract and the no trade clause. Butler is better at less money and Beal is not that much younger and the Suns just benched him.
Defense SUCKS! Scoring is down. 3 years $160M+. Miami turned him down 2 years ago.
So, with the recent developments (Grizzlies and Bucks being cautioned not to trade for Butler) I think we got a pretty good confirmation what is Jimmys true motivation.
I mean there is nothing wrong about wanting to get paid and I would never hold it against him if he chose to leave for another team because of this. But he could have at least spared us those pathetic statements about wanting to get his joy back and money not being important. I am disappointed. Maybe he doesn’t owe anything to the Heat organization, but I am disappointed by his lack of respect for the fans who have supported him.
Testify, Sharkey! We’re gonna need a bigger boat.
it’s especially strange because those are teams with a legit shot to win a championship, especially if they add Jimmy Butler.
Anyway, Jimmy gonna Jimmy. He’s done this to 3 other teams already. Great article on the Spurs blog about why they also shouldn’t trade for him
True and true.
Yup. For a guy that said anywhere except Miami, I guess anywhere doesn’t mean anywhere after all. On the other hand though, Miami’s insistence on only taking back expiring contracts is also severely limiting the options. I did an analysis of what might work for both sides and I think the only team that fits everyone’s criteria is the Washington Generals!
We need Ren & Stimpy to serenade him with the classic “Happy Happy Joy Joy.”
Guaranteed to bring that elusive joy back
Excellent observation Sharkey! Jimmy Butler has shown everyone his true colors. Riley knew he was a snake when he picked him up. The “Good Jimmy” era was good while it lasted.
It should be clear to everyone what Jimmy wants. He wants to force Riley to trade him to Phoenix where he can play alongside Durant and Booker, have a chance for a ring, be closer to his mansion in the San Diego area -AND- be assured of the max contract extension he desires. If Pat doesn’t go along with Butler’s plan, Jimmy will need to be prepared to sit on the bench the rest of the season while getting another year older and wasting a very valuable year in the few he has left in his career. It’s also very obvious that Jimmy couldn’t GAF about Miami or Heat fans.
I had recently suggested that Riley trade Butler to Brooklyn for Simmons (expiring contract) and two 2025 first round draft picks (Brooklyn has four). That trade could still be feasible in a 3 way trade between Phoenix, Brooklyn and Miami, with Brooklyn getting Beal instead of Butler and Miami getting Simmons plus two 2025 first round picks. Whatever happens, if Riley trades Butler straight up for Beal, he should be fired.