The Miami Heat secured their fifth-straight win with a 120-94 victory over the tanking Washington Wizards Monday evening inside the nation’s capital.
Bam Adebayo, who scored 16 of the Heat’s 32 points, finished with a team-high 28 points with 12 rebounds, five assists, one steal and one block, shooting 11-of-19 from the floor and 2-of-5 from 3-point range.
Tyler Herro followed suit with 27 points, five rebounds and five assists on 9-of-19 shooting; Terry Rozier and Pelle Larsson, who made his fourth start of the season (second straight) had 15 points apiece while Jaime Jaquez Jr. had 14 points with seven boards in just 24 minutes of the bench.
Miami completely dominated this game from start to finish. While it likely wouldn’t have mattered anyway, the Wizards were missing plenty of regular rotation players, such as Bilal Coulibaly, Kyshawn George, Malcolm Brogdon and Khris Middleton.
Jordan Poole put on a show, knocking down seven 3-pointers in a 35-point effort. Only one other Wizards player–Tristan Vukcevic–had double figures (14 points).
According to Associated Press’ Tim Reynolds, the Heat became the third team in NBA History to win five-straight after losing 10 in a row. Don’t look now, but Miami is only seven games below .500 with eight games left in the season.
While the last four wins were courtesy of hot shooting from the Heat, they only shot 28.1 percent (9-32) from long distance tonight. Though they were a very efficient 36-of-61 from inside the arc with 50 points coming at the rim.
The Heat close out their three-game road trip Wednesday against the Boston Celtics before traveling home to complete the back-to-back against the Memphis Grizzlies.
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After tonight’s games, the standings are as follows:
Magic 37-40 and Hawks 36-39 (tied for 7th)
Heat 34-41 2 games back (in 9th)
Bulls 34-42 2.5 games back (in 10th)
Magic has 5 games left
Hawks have 7 games left
Heat has 7 games left
Bulls have 6 games left
Should be an interesting 11 days. These next 3 games for Heat vs Celtics, Grizzlies and Bucks should tell us all a lot.
3-0 = Great
2-1 = Good
1-2 = OK
0-3 = Not so good
I just saw some startling facts that may make whoever comes out of the Eastern Conference moot.
OKC is 19-2 since the all-star break. More impressively, they are 28-1 against the east. The only game they lost was by a score of 129-122 to Cleveland on January 8th. Their final game against the east is vs Detroit on Wednesday. They have already clinched the best single-season record by a West team vs. the East in NBA history. The next best record is 27-3.
OKC is also on pace to finish with the largest point differential (and net rating) in NBA history. As of Tuesday, they’ve outscored opponents by an average of 13.2 points (119.2 to 106.0). Furthermore, they are the youngest 60 win team ever and are on pace to be only the third 70 win team in NBA history . They also have the #1 rated defense and #3 rated offense in the NBA. The Thunder are now officially the odds-on favorites to hoist the Larry O’Brien Trophy in June.
If all that isn’t impressive enough, OKC has 11 first-round picks through 2030. That includes four in the 2025 draft. OKC has its own 2025 first-round pick, which it can swap with either Houston (top-10 protected) or the Los Angeles Clippers. It also has a top-14 protected Miami pick, a top-10 protected Utah pick and Philadelphia’s top-six protected pick.
Bottom line, now that we can put all things in the proper perspective, let’s just enjoy the rest of the regular season, the play-in round and the playoffs, if we get there. Because, in the end, barring any unforeseen injuries, it may not matter which team comes out of the east if they must face OKC in the finals.
GO HEAT!!!
think bost with healthy porz could give them a run for their $$$.those youngens never been in finals.nothing like experience sun
Maybe. Boston has to get out of the east first. Cleveland and possibly others may have something to say about it.
OKC beat Boston won both games this season. They won at OKC in January with Porzingis in the line-up (he scored 29 points) and once in March without him (in Boston).
finals diff story palms get little sweaty.pressure pressure .typically in sports u dont win it all first time in finals u got to pay your dues.i think boston has best starting five in nba,their bench besides pp little suspect.if we had gotten the rozier we thought we were getting and gsw jimmy wed be battling for jewelry,jru holiday is the best defensive non big man in nba.love to see him go against sga.what a matchup that would be
I don’t think Jrue can contain him or score on him. 11 points vs 67.
Interesting stats, thanks 👍. But still, it may take one injured SGA and the odds will change dramatically.
No different if Tatum, Mitchell, Brunson, Haliburton, Jokic, LeBron, Steph, Ja, etc. is injured.
That was nice. Feels good to win no matter what. And it’s good that Rozier did get some run and he responded. Pelle has also looked solid out there. And Bam and Ty were both excellent.
It will be worth watching these next three games as they should tell us a lot. It’s one thing to beat the tankers, but these next three are playoff bound.
What an up and down season. But, there is an emerging optimism growing, as we have found something in the trades we made and the rotational adjustments that has made us better.
We have to win at least one of these next three, end up 39-43, and then maybe we can make the playoffs. But, if we fall short, we should still be happy for the positive direction this team has taken.
Probably one of Terry’s best games. It was also nice to see JJJ play well. That alley-oop from Terry to JJJ was awesome.
Well said! At this point, anything they do will be better than that 10 game/20 day stretch from hell. As the saying goes: “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.” As long as they give 100%, especially on defense, I’m good with that.
I think the Heat players learned a lot from their string of losses and are stronger as a team. I’m glad they stuck together and are happy for each others’ current successes. I don’t know how these last few games and the play-in round will go, but if they are healthy and in sync, I think they should do ok.
It will be interesting to see what rotation(s) Spo uses as we close out the season. Larsson looks like he’s a keeper. I like his energy, scrappiness and high BBIQ. His infusion of a healthy dose of energy, scoring and defense coming off the bench reminds me of T.J. McConnell of the Pacers.
Starters: Ware, Bam, Wiggins, Robinson, Herro
Reserves: Choice of Mitchell, Larsson, Highsmith, Burks, Jovic* (if healthy), Anderson, Rozier, Jaquez, depending on situation.
*Jovic was recently cleared to return to on-court work, though there’s still no clear timetable for his return. His next chance to play will come tomorrow against Boston.
GO HEAT!!!
For me, the worst time of the season wasn’t the 10 game losing streak. It was the entire Butler saga, suspensions and negativity. The team and the future is better now than at any point this season.
On another note, and this may mean absolutely nothing, a reporter asked Spo if Wiggins would be out the remainder of the season and he didn’t answer. Now, we know the organization never discusses the status of injured players, but still. Hfl is right that without Wiggins, the team doesn’t have much chance.
Next man up. Got to stay ready so you don’t need to get ready. When life gives you lemons, make lemonade. Que sera, sera. It is what it is.
That pretty much was every applicable cliche 😆😆
I certainly hope it’s not the case, but I would not be surprised if he is out for the rest of the season. It’s tough. We have finallly found some consistency, stabilized our rotation and he was an important part of it. I hope he can get back in good shape before the season ends.
Current records:
Atlanta: 36-38
Orlando: 36-40 1 gb
Miami: 34-41 2.5 gb
Chicago: 33-42 3.5 gb
I just took a look at the remaining schedules for Atlanta, Orlando, Chicago and Miami. Of the four teams, Atlanta has the easiest schedule, followed by Chicago, the Magic and the Heat.
Atlanta opponents: Blazers, Mavs, Knicks, Jazz, Magic, Nets, 76ers, Magic
Orlando opponents: Spurs, Wizards, Hawks, Celtics, Pacers, Hawks
Chicago: Raptors, Blazers, Hornets, Cavs, Heat, Wizards, 76ers
Miami: Boston, Grizzlies, Bucks, 76ers, Bulls, Pelicans, Wizards
If Atlanta wins 4 of it’s last 8 games the Hawks will end up 40-42. (#7)
If Orlando wins 3 of it’s last 6, the Magic will end up 39-41.(#8)
If Chicago wins 5 of it’s last 7, the Bulls will end up 38-44. (#9)
If Miami wins 4 of it’s last 7, the Heat will end up 38-44.(#9)
Based on the preceding scenarios, it appears the Hawks are somewhat assured of either the number 7 or 8 spot. Orlando has the best shot at getting the number the 8 spot. Chicago and Miami are a toss-up for 9th and 10th place.
However, if one of the teams gets hot (or stays hot) and does well in it’s head-to-head games with another Play-in team, (e.g., Atlanta vs Orlando 2 games and Heat vs Bulls) the scenario may change quite a bit.
Miami’s next 3 games in four days: Wednesday @ Celtics, Thursday vs Grizzlies, and Saturday vs Bucks, should tell us a lot. If they limp into the play-in round as a #9 or #10 team, they may very well lose the first game and be out. On the other hand, if they truly have their “Mojo” back, they could end up in 8th place, win one game and go into the playoffs on a roll.
Get your popcorn ready. Should be fun.
GO HEAT!!!
P.S. It’s nice to see smiles on the boys’ faces again…and on mine.😊
Just a minor typo – Orlando would be 39-43.
lebron missed a ft it happens.i miss shots every night .my post % is bordering terrys 3pt shooting %
I was focused on wins. It would be interesting if we wind up with 2, 3 or 4 way tie.
Thangya vera mush.
rc the proof reader of hhh.
It’s proofreader heat.
gotta get wiggy and dav dawg backk for boston.dawg and pelle gives us the toughness we have lacked.wiggy gives us that 3rd option we dont have w/o him.hats off to swedish bball its impressive gotta rename the great eight now to something nine.dued has earned pt.gotta work on shot off season and hes a piece for the future.
JIMMY WHO?
JIMMY WHO?????
It can now be said…we are definitely better off without him, as we are just as good in the near term, but with a much better future.
For a lot less money and far less drama.
A win is sweet while a loss is bitter. I hope that as the young players gain playing experience they will also grow in developing the appropriate emotional response to both situations. These 5 straight wins should not be followed by complacency just as the 10 losses did not come with despondency, hence these wins. These wins as we celebrate, does not mean there are no deficiencies: inconsistency in shooting efficiency, turnovers and sometimes the inability to keep up with a fast tempo offense from the opponents. To think otherwise is complacency.
Go Heat, Go !
well said.
I think this team has been through too much drama and truama this season, and a few wins don’t change my opinion that they’re better off going after a draft pick than the playoffs. That said, I appreciate that this franchise and these players don’t quit. I love to see them fighting to save their season. Even if they don’t mean anything, I’m glad to see this team follow that losing streak with a winning streak.
I am all out for a draft pick. Play off gets us no where. Risks players getting injured. The chances of winning the NBA finals is very slim with this team this season, truth be told. The deeper they go into the play off for an unrealistic goal, the shorter their summer vacation vwill be. IMHO if asked, I will forget the play off run, let the vacation start for these guys so they get both physical and mental recuperation from all the drama that happened and let everyone chip in and concentrate on possible draft picks to fill our needs
Agreed with the draft pick stance. This team is devoid of talent and needs those picks. Okc damn sure doesn’t need them
I strongly agree about the picks, but not about them being devoid of talent. I think Ware, Bam, Herro, Wiggins, Mitchell, Pelle, maybe Jovic, and possibly a couple of the g league players make up a decent core. But the team needs to have a #1 option, dynamic player, to get back to being a legit contender. With the 2 picks and a smart trade, I think we can get there.
Maybe Jovic? The team went on a 10 game losing streak once he was injured. Jovic is a keeper as a great bench guy who can also start. He has improved his 3pt shot and I like his overall contributions to team basketball.
I like him too, but wonder if he would be part of a trade package. I think players like him, Highsmith, Jaquez, Anderson, and Duncan and Rozier for salary matching could be utilized in that way. Hard to say what might happen until we see how the season ends.
He would be because another team sees he still has unrealized potential. So if we keep him due to no trade coming together I will be happy. 😉
Me too, definitely.
And I know I’ve said it before, but he’s not even quite 22, an age where many players are just coming out of college. And, as the old saying goes – you can’t teach size.
I agree with you RC. The Heat does have a good core. They are still a couple of good draft picks, a trade or free agent signing and the continued development of their younger players away from being top contenders in the Eastern Conference.