Thank goodness that’s over… the Miami Heat FINALLY snap their embarrassing 10-game losing streak with a victory at home over the Charlotte Hornets. With a final score of 122-105, the Heat turned the tables and put together an impressive second half showing to get the job done.
They improved to 30-41 on the season, and the legitimately overdue bounce back finally arrived.
The story of the game was another career night from the recently acquired Andrew Wiggins. The two-way All-Star dominated the game, totaling 42 points, 5 assists and three stocks. He shot an elite 76% from the field on 16 shots, including six made 3-pointers.
After missing two consecutive games due to a lingering ankle injury, the former Golden State Warriors champion has looked like a star as of late. Much to the delight of his new Heat teammates, he was showered with Gatorade in the postgame winning circle.
“Just getting comfortable,” Wiggins mentioned after the win. “I have a hell of a team here that gets me involved.”
Andrew Wiggins has now submitted 72 points combined over the Miami Heat’s last two games.
However, this needed victory was not a one-man show. Tyler Herro added some much needed supplemental All-Star help, adding 29 points of his own on 11 of 19 shooting.
In Herro and Wiggins’ combined minutes, the Heat outscored the Hornets by 42 points.
Kel’el Ware also looked solid again, putting up a statline of 12 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists on 60% from the field. Davion Mitchell pitched in 12 points and 7 assists off the bench.
Coach Erik Spoelstra opted to tighten up his rotation, going with the starting group of Herro, Duncan Robinson, Wiggins, Bam Adebayo and Ware. Mitchell and Haywood Highsmith received majority of the bench minutes, but Alec Burks also got eight minutes of action in the second half.
Miami finished the game going a sizzling 57% overall as a team, along with 41% from deep. They held the Hornets to 46% and 33% on their three’s. Most notably, the Heat defense forced Charlotte into 19 turnovers compared to Miami’s 10.
There won’t be much time to enjoy this win, as the organization will now brace themselves for the return of Jimmy Butler on Tuesday in their next game.
The visiting Golden State Warriors are set to play inside the Kaseya Center on a nationally televised stage. The anticipated matchup will welcome back one of the greatest players in franchise history.
***
To check out our other content, click here.
Follow Hot Hot Hoops on Twitter/X here!
Follow Hot Hot Hoops on Instagram here!
Subscribe to our YouTube channel here!
Jovic will be back soon. Let’s hope he can step into a role with the rotation. We will be making some personnel changes and maybe he could find a spot. I could see a team with Bam, Ty, Andrew, Davion, Kel el, with Burks and Jovic. Then they could get the two draft picks and whatever they get in trade or salary relief for everyone else. It’s a start…
Everyone keeps saying we can’t get KD . Two things one he prefers Miami and two they’re ( Rockets) not going to sacrifice assets like multiple picks and talent for him . IMO, that’s puts us in the driver seat . Meaning ….
Wiggins
Rozier
Jovic
Jaime
GSW Pick
Your sins player now
I haven’t seen people say we can’t get KD. I have seen people that say they don’t want him. I do think we can get him and I think your proposal could do it. A lineup of Ware, Bam, KD, Herro, and Fears/Fland? Could be pretty formidable.
I m one of them. A team with KD is a joyless one. I saw that in Brooklyn (I watch them because of Goran). And ask Suns fans what they are thinking about current team. Its not just the team is not good, its also a boring team.
Getting him in Miami, you can prepare for the most boring season you can think of. Any title cant fix that.
Herro out of here I have a hard time seeing him still with the team by Oct.1 deadline can’t pay two number two’s fifty million a year are you nuts ??? Especially one that plays 0 defense and doesn’t move without the ball as much as Duncan and do the little things that help winning why would he change now ?
Trade him for a higher upside development prospect “Cody Williams” and a “cheaper” sixth man type Jordan Clarkson that doesn’t compromise 2026 as him and KD hit F.A. that summer .
Free agency hits sequentially at the start of free agency sign N.A.W. , Chris Paul ,and D.Exum/Cojo type . Target a backup center like a Biyombo . You hold Duncan Robinson annd Kyle until trade deadline . Draft Best pg available
Opening tip
1. CP3,Exum,Rookie
2.N.A.W.,Clarkson,Cody
3.K.D.,Duncan,Pelle
4.Bam,Kyle,Haywood
5.Ware ,Biyombo ,Love
Not a shot at you but looking for more two way ability and cap flexibility that’s out the window if theyre considering extending and paying him I see Spoelstra intervening like no .
We could get kd, and I would be on board with that trade. Also like you said we’re one of the few teams that interests him, since he is buddies with bam, if Riley has one more move left in him….that would be it. His game ages way better then Jimmy, and is 6’11, so he will always be able to get his shot off. Also like Czech said a starting lineup of fears,herro, kd,bam,ware is a Dog that could definitely hunt for a title. provided if we have a decent bench, so hopefully keep mitchell, burks, trade dunc for a rotation player, and get another in free agency.
KD is a mercenary who should have stayed in Golden State and won 3-4 more titles. But, his ego just wouldn’t allow him to play second fiddle to Steph. Instead, he pursued max money and the chance at being the “top dog” on a championship team in Brooklyn and Phoenix. As a result, he has been unhappy for the last 5 years and hasn’t won jack. We don’t need his drama in Miami. Furthermore, Miami should be building for the future. KD will be 37 this year.
Luka, De’Aaron, Kyrie and others will be free agents in 2026. I would rather shoot for a ss then. Meanwhile, Miami can draft and begin developing two good players, unload salaries through expiring contracts, make strategic trades and free agent signings and allow the current core to continue developing together.
The way I see it, Herro, Wiggins, Bam and Ware are good 2-5 players/scorers. Mitchell is a very good back-up point guard (and able to pinch hit as a starter in the event of an injury). What Miami needs is an alpha male to lead the pack (preferably a high scoring ball distributer who can function adequately in the Heat’s defensive scheme/structure). Plus, Miami still does not know if any of their G League players (Stevens, Christopher or Smith) will be able to earn a spot in the rotation. The jury is still out on Jaquez, Jovic, Larsson and Johnson. Since they are all on rookie contracts or can be extended (team options) there is still time to determine if they worth keeping.
Right now is the time to be patient and optimistic that tomorrow will be a better day and 2026 will be a better year. Hang lose folks and stay positive!
GO HEAT!!!
Even if we don’t get kd, I could see us getting kyrie, who qualifies as that alpha male, floor general finisher. I don’t think we will be able to get luka, getting fox might depend on if wemby has ongoing blood clot issues. I mean fox did wanna go there to play with wemby.
I saw a take that said KD will raise the floor of any team, but he will never raise their ceiling. He needs a Westbrook or a Curry or an Irving for that. Like, those players (whether or not you like other aspects of their game) can go into a locker room and inspire the other 14 guys. KD just doesn’t have that in his personality. He’ll go out there and get his numbers, and he’ll make sure you can always compete. But he’s not the guy who will make sure you always win.
At least, that’s what the other person’s take claimed.
I think that’s really what we need. I think (contrary to many on this website) that we do have the talent on our roster, we just don’t have real leadership on the court. Bam hasn’t grown into that role yet, though he still may in the future. I don’t think it’s in Tyler’s DNA, although I could be wrong. I don’t know enough about Wiggins. Maybe after rebuilding his reputation in GS, he’s about to come into his own as a floor general. Or maybe he’s also just not that guy.
But I think the thing that we’re missing isn’t what KD has. And at this point in his career, KD is not going to get it.
Finally.
But I didn’t like what I saw. Wiggins and Herro heroism wont take us far.
That’s true. But, we can build a new team. We could be a lot closer if we do well in the draft.
Not alone, no. But what we lost in Jimmy is someone who can take over a game when everything else is falling apart. We still need to get to a team situation where “falling apart” isn’t the default state. But it’s not nothing to see evidence that two of our guys are capable of filling those roles.
What is so disappointing about this season, is that it would not have made a difference if Butler stayed or left. The way he and the Heat were playing, Miami would have still have been a play-in team.
What is encouraging is that there is a good core to build upon. With good draft picks, free agent signings and trades, Miami could be the NBA’s surprise team in 2026, or sooner. Prior to that, the team must first shed the salaries of several players, (Rozier, Robinson, Anderson, Love, and others). In addition, decisions must be made on whether or not to keep veterans such as Mitchell, Highsmith, Anderson and Burks and players (other than Ware) who are still on rookie contracts.
The core of Ware, Bam, Wiggins, Herro and Mitchell could use an alpha male two-way scorer/closer, a good/very good two-way pass first PG and a solid back-up two-way PF/C. Putting 2024-2025 in the rearview mirror and beginning the construction of a playoff caliber contending team will be Riley’s offseason homework assignment, presuming he doesn’t retire.
P.S. GO HEAT!!!
the heat were mediocre during jimmys time here except playoff jimmy took us to another level.whats around jim is better now than before.jimmy got old and disgruntled.now hes old and happy
True about us with Jimmy. We were only a little better than we are now, not a contender. And it’s starting to look like Wiggins is almost as good as current, older Jimmy, except in crunch time. And Davion is useful too. Long term, we are still better off without older Jimmy and his salary. Whatever happens Tuesday night, after that game it will still be true.
I also like your core group and your plans on what to do with the other players. I feel oddly optimistic today. A lot is riding on the draft.
Sunman you always talk about the alpha male closer, the brilliant floor general PG and solid backup power player; could you please list a few realistic example for each? I would like to understand clearer exactly what you deem possible within our roster improvement constraints.
See my post above. “KD is mercenary…”
Kyrie and Portis would work.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jfy5gstWwh0