First Half:
The Heat looked sharp to start this one, getting contributions out of Ware, Bam, Herro, and Highsmith to spark an early scoring run. The chemistry that had been lacking as of late was on total display in this one early, with the Heat sharing the ball well and locking down on defense.
The Magic, a strong team in its own right did not roll over though, gaining some momentum and cutting the lead to just three. Herro showed good finishing ability at the rim early and slashed more often than we’re used to. With no true point guard on the Heat, Herro looked to be picking up that slack – but forcing passes sometimes leads to sloppy mistakes and the Heat showed some of that with turnovers, and poor offensive shooting decisions. The Magic managed to put together a 15-2 run, to take the lead. Strong end-of-quarter play from Rozier put the Heat in a position to take the lead, but missed free throws kept Miami down two headed into the second quarter.
The Magic continued to score in bunches to start the second quarter. That combined with a classic Heat-scoring drought, resulted in the Heat going down 10 points. The Miami defense was of course porous, but the worst part was on the other end. Miami took good looks, but they couldn’t hit them. This is a problem that has become way too common. Bam did his best to keep the Heat within striking distance, shooting good mid-range looks and driving the. While he’s struggled offensively this season, it’s hard to deny the strength of Bam’s basketball IQ. Bam got some offensive support from Terry, but his struggles at the free-throw line persisted.
The Magic continued to take advantage of Heat turnovers to maintain the lead, but the Heat saw offensive contributions from Larsson, Jovic, and Herro. Credit has to go to Orlando for smothering three-point opportunities, but Herro did a good job of mixing up his game and getting to the bucket. He’s an underrated slasher. Unfortunately, this caused him to get a little banged up.
With Herro surging, Terry scoring well from everywhere but the free-throw line, and Bam finally getting the rack the Heat was able to claw back within two.
But some poor defensive possessions and bad turnovers allowed the Magic to stay ahead by four to end the half.
Second Half:
Ware got things started for the Heat from three to start the second half, Bam wasn’t far behind him as he continued slashing to the rim. Still, the Heat struggled with the Magic’s two best guys in Banchero and Wagner keeping them behind. Even with Ware on the floor with Bam, Miami just wasn’t able to get stops – thankfully Herro and Ware delivered from three on the other end to keep the game uncomfortably close.
Strong shooting from Herro and good offensive decisions from Bam seemed to signal a momentum change in favor of the Heat as they got within one. Unfortunately, Bam found himself in foul trouble, just as he was getting things going. Herro and Ware kept things rolling off some great shots, stealing back the lead. The lead fluctuated back and forth for much of the third quarter, but it was ultimately the Magic who’d take a 7-point lead into the fourth quarter with Anthony Black and Franz Wagner hitting big shots down the stretch.
The Heat found itself down fourteen to start the fourth quarter and looking to dig out of a big hole. But the Heat didn’t flinch, getting good buckets out of Niko Jovic, Ware, and Terry Rozier and playing strong defense. Good decisions by Jovic and Herro to draw fouls got the Heat back within eight, but Anthony Black kept Miami guessing on both ends deleting the short run.
Two back-to-back huge threes from Duncan Robinson kept Miami’s hopes alive as the Heat cut the lead to six with just over 5 minutes remaining. The Magic returned fire, but a Tyler three, Ware alley-oop, and a big stop got the Heat within three.
Miami’s defense was phenomenal down the stretch as it stopped the Magic’s best. Niko Jovic tied things up with an amazing three and the Heat’s defense put them in a position to take the lead. The Magic were disruptive, but the Heat found a way to get the ball to Ware for a huge alley-oop slam! Wagner tied things up on the other end leaving the Heta with a chance at the win, unfortunately, Tyler missed sending things to OT.
Overtime:
Wagner got things started in overtime, but Duncan wasn’t far behind him tying things up once again. Ware was electric on the defensive end, forcing the Magic to think twice and take poor looks. The Heat faced the same reality on the other end, though botching two possessions that Wagner and Banchero took advantage of on the other end. Bam put the team on his back to score four straight points and get the Heat back within two.
A missed free throw by Bam went Miami’s way with Banchero bobbling it out of bounds, and Niko using that possession to hit a very tough shot.
A big defensive stop put the ball in Herro’s hands again, but he’d miss. This left the Magic with a chance to take the win, but the Heat forced Banchero to pass to Black who’d lose the ball. With just under 2 seconds on the clock, Miami would get another chance at the win. Jovic attempted a lob pass from the backcourt to Ware who missed and hit the back of the backboard.
With .6 seconds remaining the Magic called a timeout to advance the ball to the frontcourt and go to the win. They went to Wagner who missed sending the Heat and Magic to double overtime.
Double Overtime:
Bam put the hammer down off an oop from Duncan to start double overtime. And then he’d do it again to put the Heat up four! But a Wendell Carter Jr. and-one, one made things way too close for comfort. Relentless ball hunting on the offensive glass led to an enormous Herro three to put the Heat up four once again. Miami’s tenacious defense came up with a big stop that led to a clutch Bam bucket increasing the lead to six with just under a minute remaining. Another huge stop put Miami in the driver’s seat, where they’d dribble out the clock to win.
An incredible comeback for a team that’s faced so much drama and a real look at the future of the Miami Heat.
***
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SunMan’s Trade Scenario #57,816
Memphis Receives:
SF Jimmy ButlerSF Hayward HighsmithPF Kevin Love
Toronto Receives:
Brandon ClarkeLuke KennardJake LaRavia2025 & 2027 2nd Round Picks (Memphis)
Miami Receives:
PG Marcus Smart ($20.2M expiring contract), SF Bruce Brown ($23M expiring contract)C: Sandi Aldama** ($4.0M expiring contract)SF Jaylen Wells* ($1.2M 4 year rookie contract)2027 1st Round Pick (Memphis)_________________________________________________________________________
*Jaylen Wells
DOB: 8/26/03 (21 years old)6’8″ 205 lbs11.7 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 1.7 apg, 38.8% – 3 ptRookie of the month (October-November 2024)Rated one of top 5 NBA rookies in 2024-2025
** Sandi Aldama
DOB: 1/10/01 (24 years old)7’0″ 210 lbs12.7 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 2.6 apg, 36.7% – 3ptExcellent back-up center_________________________________________________________________________
With this trade, the Miami Heat roster would look like this:
Centers: Ware, Aldama
Power Forwards: Bam, Johnson
Small Forwards: Jovic, Wells, Jaquez, Brown
Shooting Guards: Herro, Robinson, Burks, Larsson
Point Guards: Rozier, Smart, Richardson
Note: Miami would still be in a position to package the 2027 Memphis pick and one or more players in order to further upgrade the roster before the trade deadline.
Now they’re saying the Warriors might be back in the mix. I prefer the other teams options as I do not want that Wiggins contract, though he is at least a decent player. Kuminga is injured, though the thought is he should be back after AS break.
Because of the timing of the contracts I prefer the Middleton, Portis, Pat C trade as all 3 come off for that 2026 offseason.
Bucks would need to move Pat C to a 3rd team first to get under the second ‘A’ word. 😉
Windhorst reporting Heat lowering asking price and could be dealing with Bucks or Grizzlies directly and bleep the Suns. Both places are better if Jimmy wants to win, but he’s shown in all of this that it’s not about winning.
That was such a perfect game to have after yet another MeMe Butler episode. On so many levels that was amazing. To be around .500 with a good chance at playoffs with what is turning out to be a transition year is great. Get rid of MeMe for at least a bench scorer, don’t take back long term junk contracts, and this team will be a serious player for one of the coveted FA’s coming up. The future is so bright Heat fans gotta wear shades.
That was a great win for the players, who may have proved something to themselves, that they are still a pretty capable team, maybe not a super team, but a decent one, without Jimmy. And they needed to feel valued as one unpleasant aspect of Jimmy’s trade request is essentially a diss of the players he plays with.
For us fans, it’s nice to know we aren’t totally back to the drawing board without Jimmy. We have some pieces, at least five definite building blocks that we can win with. I add Jovic to that list as he particularly showed the heart of a winner last night. We also have some young players (not Ware as he is now untouchable) with upside that can be trade capital.
If we get something back for Jimmy, life and basketball success may go on without him. How the Jimmy dispatchment is handled should be watched also as doing nothing before the deadline would hurt this team and would also be a referendum on whether our GM can handle his role any longer.
Win or Loose, I don’t care. Just give guys playing time and let them learn for the rest of the season. Lebron or Curry is not taking this team to the NBA finals this season.
That was probably the best win in the season. Real team effort.
Still, everything is not as bright as seems now.
We badly need a good, starting level point guard. And we need to get rid of Butler first, and Rosier later. He just don’t fit.
Great win, the heat fought tooth & nail to get back in the game, after being down multiple times. Spo coached a heck of a game, I love that triple tower front court lineup up of jovic, bam, and ware. That’s probably the biggest lineup spo has ever run while coaching the heat. Put up 125 on the second scoring defense magic. Did a great job defending banchero as well. Shout out to the double ot boys: Boy wonder, Dunc yard dog, Niko driver, Bam BAM Bigelow, and the WAREWOLF .
‘Spo coached a heck of a game’…❤️ I
Very proud of the guys tonight. Those kinds of “grind em out” games help build character, not to mention the experience and confidence the team will acquire.
Jovic, Ware and Larsson are still very raw. The only way they will develop and acquire confidence is by getting more playing time. Thus, the veterans like Burks, Love and Richardson (when he returns from injured list) will probably get very little playing time unless there are unforeseen injuries.
I’m very curious how and when the “Butler situation.” will end. A big two-way point guard would be awesome. So would a two-way point forward. This team could be so much more relaxed and in rhythm if it had a very solid floor general. Hopefully, Riley pulls a rabbit (or two) out of his hat.
P.S. Jimmy who?
Yes, this team is missing the real point guard in starting lineup. I think Dru was provided for that role.
Yup. I think Stevens deserves a shot at showing what he can do.
‘Jovic, Ware and Larsson are still very raw. The only way they will develop and acquire confidence is by getting more playing time’ ❤️.
Time to develop what we have and look to the future.
Looks like Orlando ran out of magic in the extra OT. Wasn’t expecting a win just wanted at least a close game and see the “new look” Heat getting repetitions for familiarity. Let’s see the next games if these couple of wins gets them back on track. But not getting my hopes up too much. Still go Heat!
What can you say? Great game. This group is really gelling and you see what the addition of Ware and the maturing of Jovic can mean to this team. It allows Bam to wreak havoc on the perimeter. And Herro having this phenomenal year. Duncan now a triple threat to hit a 3, drive, or throw lobs. More is needed, sure, but the team is heading in the right direction.
like the lineup spo went with no subs for a while .but that second units got me worried.i think right now the heat are still a 500 team.one or 2 additions via butler and next year could have us challenging the nyk bostons of the world
I think the team gets a bench scorer in the Butler trade. Not someone who is a clear starter, of course thanks to MeMe tanking his value on purpose, but a known commodity that will add some pop to the bench unit.