First Half:
This wasn’t a typical game for the Heat, with a mix of cheers and jeers following Jimmy’s tribute and introduction, both teams would go to work with the Heat drawing first blood on a Burks three. Bam slammed it on Jimmy seconds later, while inadvertently elbowing Draymond in the face (so real first blood was drawn by Bam, I guess).
The Warriors struggled to score early, letting the Heat go up 7-0. Miami ran the offense through Bam for much of the first quarter. At times this season, it’s seemed like Bam just wasn’t much of a contributor, so feeding him early paid dividends. Still, things were slow and chippy but eventually Herro, Burks and Wiggins got it going to boost the Heat offense. Miami’s defense was locked in, getting some big stops early and racking up some highlight reel defensive plays in the process.
The Warriors’ reserves allowed the Warriors to pull back at the end of the first as they got hot from beyond the arc. Meanwhile, the Heat offense stalled briefly, but Bam would keep it afloat with some beautiful buckets. The Heat would go into the second quarter up six. The Warriors continued to shoot well from three, and stay within striking distance – but with the Heat getting signs of life out of Tyler Herro, it would stay ahead. Miami continued to excel on defense, protecting the paint and keeping Jimmy away from his signature buckets.
The Heat played to its size advantage, leveraging Kel’El Ware for some highlight plays. He hasn’t had his best outings as of late, but I still think Ware will be a major difference maker for the Heat moving forward.
The Heat built a really strong lead, and didn’t take its foot off the gas heading into the second half. With Bam hitting threes, Ware doing damage in the paint, and Wiggins scoring in bunches, Miami was firmly in the driver’s seat. Unfortunately, turnovers caused a Warriors 7-0 run, making things slightly uncomfortable. The Heat would regain its bearings in the final two minutes, playing lock-down defense, scoring well on offense, bringing a 17-point lead into halftime off a Herro buzzer-beater three. All while keeping Butler to 2 points on 1/6 shooting.
Second Half
Bam showed no signs of slowing down to start the third, opening things with a big slam that would be followed up with another AB three. Bam looked relentless, delivering on both ends. The Warriors wouldn’t roll over with Jimmy finding some offense and chipping away at the Heat’s lead. Wiggins was exceptional, scoring well and playing hard-nosed defense against his former team.
Ware also continued to be solid, and he did this!
The Heat entered the fourth quarter with a thirteen-point lead, but the Warriors were firmly on its heels. With Miami’s tendency to blow leads, things were anything but stable, but a Mitchell buzzer-beater three certainly helped.
Mitchell would continue to be tenacious starting the fourth quarter with a pick-six and an and-one. Miami’s reserves were all contributing with Slo-Mo, even scoring in transition. The Heat and Warriors would go back and forth, but things largely stayed consistent (including the boos from the Heat crowd every time Jimmy touched the ball). Herro’s quiet night got louder as he hit a couple of big threes to get his point total up to twenty.
Bam also continued his impressive night, showcasing some impeccable footwork for some beautiful buckets. The Heat just didn’t stop, sharing the ball well and getting contributions from everyone on the floor. This limited the risk of its signature scoring droughts and helped starve the Warriors out down the stretch.
Jimmy has been having some great games as of late, but this game really echoed his recent outings in the Kaseya Center when he was doing everything he could to get traded. The Heat needed this win, and the fan base needed this win after everything that’s gone down since Christmas Day. Impressive all around.
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Like a lot of you said, we played well because we played our best players and only them. We only played eight till the end and that may be asking too much of them. Maybe Jovic can bring something as he will be back any day. But, Jovic may be like JJJ, almost, but not quite good enough. We need to find out. Too bad about Terry, Love, and Dunc, and probably JJJ too, but we need to make room for two new guys.
And, with ten games left and despite this win, nothing to play for, I would like to see if our top GLeaguers could extend our roster beyond eight guys.
I will reiterate that we are still only a play-in team, and won’t make it beyond there this year. But, last night we got a glimpse of what should be a bright future. We are a point guard and another high level scorer away. The draft will give us at least one answer, but it may take a trade to get that last addition.
Its not easy. A good point guard needs year to develop. So I believe it has to be a trade for a good point guard. And probably also for a good frontcourt scorer.
What a difference a year makes
Last year, the Detroit Pistons were in 15th place in the Eastern Conference and had the worst record in the NBA.
This year, the Detroit Pistons are in 6th place in the NBA Eastern Conference, 2 games behind 4th place Indiana.
Last year, the Detroit finished 14-68, (54 games under .500).
Last year, the Miami finished 46-36 (10 games over .500).
This year, with 9 games to go, Detroit is 41-32 (9 games over .500)
This year, with 10 games to go, Miami is 31-41 (10 games under .500)
Last year, Detroit finished 32 games behind Miami (14-68 vs 46-36)
This year, Miami is 9.5 games behind Detroit (31-41 vs 41-32)
That is a swing of 41.5 games in just one season, so far. WTF?
i say if kelel ware plays from day 1(rc disagees) the quitter doesnt quit on us.major mistake by eric.dude was ready from day 1 basketballs basketball see ball block ball,see rim put ball in rim.dudes a baller he has great instincts.makes very few bonehead mistakes.he was good to go from day 1.just needs little more davion muscle on that tall frame of his
Yup, I, and several others disagreed that Ware should start on day 1, and he didn’t. Early on, he looked lost out there and out of position, particularly on defense. Oh, and by the way, Butler quit on this team the season BEFORE Ware got here.
Can’t believe Wiggins had only 10 points, looked more like 18 points.
So true.
Great game. They were all good, but Mitchell won us this one with a steal at the start of the 4th qt. If GS would score once or twice then, it would be a close game.
Still, nothing change. This team is a good point guard and another good frontcourt scorer away from a good team.
Exactly, we need that. But, the front court scorer has to be a number one type option.
Somebody missed Jimmy, eh?
I look forward to hearing from Big Guy, who was at the game tonight (or any of you who were there). The atmosphere was pretty electric and it was funny to hear the boos rain down when Butler touched the ball.
It feels good to see the guys finally feeling comfortable in their roles and playing cohesively as a unit. Over the past few weeks, we’ve seen how bad this team can be. In the past 2 games, we’ve had a glimpse of just how good it can be.
I am very impressed with Mitchell. He reminds me of a tough bulldog, like Marcus Smart with a better motor. I don’t think he has ever been put in a role in the NBA that fits him to a tee like Miami does. The team’s tough minded defensive philosophy is right up his alley. I sure hope the Heat can work out a multiple year deal with him. He’s far too valuable to lose.
I think this summer is the opportunity for the Heat to begin a quick re-tooling/ rebuilding process, Hopefully, Miami gets 2 draft picks (one a #8-#10 lottery pick, or better) and are able to select 2 quality players who can get their feet wet in 2025-2026 and be ready to soar in 2026-2027. As RC suggested, if they are lucky and get a top four pick, they could spell real trouble for a number of NBA teams by next season. Several contracts will be expiring by the summer of 2026. Returning the core, plus Mitchell and Burks, the two new draft picks and the players on rookie and two-way contracts who are worth keeping, the Heat can be in a very good position to make a splash in the 2026 free agency and/or trade markets and return to contender status by 2026-2027.
Mitchell, Wiggins, Highsmith, Bam and Ware make a pretty good defensive closing unit. Add Johnson to that group (if he ever gets a chance to show what he has) and they could be formidable.
I’m feeling better now that we’ve finally had the chance to see the Heat at their best. They aren’t as good as OKC, Cleveland or Boston, yet, but they could definitely be in a position to compete with the league’s elite teams by the opening game in October 2026.
I’m looking forward to seeing the team’s progress in the coming months and the development of the younger players. Now is the time for patience by the fans and critical, analytical and strategic thinking by the team’s management. If this situation is handled properly, it could be the beginning of a very successful stretch for Miami.
Watching Butler seeing what a diamond in the rough the Heat have found in Kel’el Ware, the thought occurred to me that he probably wonders how things would have worked out if he had seen Ware as a starter before he quit on the team. He must now realize that the additions of Ware and Mitchell are helping transform Miami into a better team than the one he walked away from. On second thought, who GAF what that greedy, egotistical @$$hole thinks. I hope GS barely makes the play-in round so Miami can get the highest pick possible from them.
P.S. GO HEAT!!
https://youtu.be/aYlD6lIv8Bs?si=Rbj3KmaBdnYuvTOz
The post game interviews. Wiggins is a breath of fresh air. Very humble and mellow.
How many times in 36 years did the Heat have a top 8 pick? 4. Rice, Smith, Wade, and Beasley. A pick in that range can be a franchise altering player. Not always, but your odds are better in that range. And, did you know that the #8 pick has a 26% chance of moving into the top 4, and a 6% chance of getting the #1 pick? So, it would be nice to have a 1 in 4 chance to get a top four pick.
I agree with you 100% RC.
Thanks. I was thrilled with how they played tonight and we appreciate what Bam, Ware, Herro, Wiggins, Mitchell bring to the table. I just think we need a little more to be a top team.
A little more to be respectable. A lot more (via draft, trade, free agency and player development) to be an elite team
Good win.
A good way for the players to show that the players are ready to move on from the Butler era.Noticeable Duncan and Love were out.
Congrats Heat.!!
Yes, and JJJ. And Terry. The rotations were tightened up. We only went eight deep and that may not be sustainable. Maybe Jovic can be nine. Or maybe a GLeaguer.
waiting for sunmans evaluation thats all that counts for me.my thoughts dont mean sht
It’s there.
first time all year spo played the right players and sat or injured player didnt play.repeat the process and better results are forthcoming.man andrew wiggins is blossoming into a real good player ditto ware ditto davion welcome newbys to ty and bams world well needed help.hh burks slo mo in reserve are all defenders.loved this team we saw today hopefully spo stays with these guys for the rest of season.
You are funny. Just a couple of days ago, you said something like “lol, gsw misses Wiggins “ as in they don’t miss him. I answered that they did, in fact, really like Wiggins, not because he’s a nice guy, but because he’s a nice contributor.
Bottom 5 east teams really suck. It seems Heat will take that #10 spot, highest might be #9 and Heat will still be the best play-in team. And im torn between tanking (secretly) for that first rd pick and making a run at the playoffs.
fk tanking play right players could give anybody in east a problem anybody
Boston? Cleveland? No way says I. Knicks? Pacers? Even Detroit? Or Banchero Orlando? Maybe, but I doubt it. We win a game against a good team without their best player and another against a bottom feeder, and you’re ready for the finals.
I hope they play their best, go 5-5 the rest of the way, and lose in the play-in. If we make the playoffs and lose the pick, let’s see who the #8-11 picks are and how they impact their team. Many here will be absolutely howling. This team will be in the play-in for the 3rd year in a row. If we had the current roster from the start, I think we could have been the 5 or 6 seed, but not a serious contender.
ware on porz(who will prob be hurt) bam on tatum wig on jaylen dawg on older jrue.ty on white .i think we get a game or 2.boston has pp off the bench not much else.clvev mobley allen bam ware.wiggy on hunter dawg on the better mitchell and ty on darius ,i like our chances for a game or 2 in playoffs.knicks when healthy might have the best 5 in east,still with dawg ware wig and our twin towers get a game or 2.this is a new heat team rc.forget about the first 70 games with stiffs liketerry dunc pelle jjj love,play the right guys we are a good team.slomo hh burks get the scrub minutos.but knowing our robotic coach 55 will get his minutos and points for our opponents will become much easier to get
You are making my point for me – a game or two against this team, a game or two against that team. Sure, that can happen, and then we would be back home watching the other teams on TV. And we would lose that draft pick. We get a draft pick that high on an average of once every nine years. And, assuming that we will be a better team next season, and make the playoffs, the best draft pick we could hope for would be #15 or lower. You often say “ why can’t we get a player like Oklahoma or Cleveland?”. Often, the answer is because those teams got high draft picks.
Hard to tell. The #7-10 are all within striking distance of each other. We can’t go above 7, or below 10.
This may be pre-mature, but I’m really feeling up for another 8-seed-to-finals run…
It’s a nice thought, but a lot more unlikely than last time. And if they make the playoffs, they will lose a truly golden draft opportunity. I want to see them play hard each game, but also would love to see them get a top ten pick.
Riley: Don’t worry I just like to see Jimmy lose this game then we’re back to get that top lottery pick 😝
For me if we miss the 1st round pick, then it has been a wasted 2026 preseason.
We’re so back
Boy, that felt so good!