Last year, the Miami Heat had just one game with at least 136 points.
Through 10 games already this season, the Heat now have three, securing a 136-131 win over the Portland Trail Blazers Saturday night inside Kaseya Center.
The man of the hour was fourth-year forward Nikola Jovic, who scored a career-high 29 points on 10-of-16 shooting and 3-of-7 from 3-point range. Jovic filled up the box score, adding nine rebounds with seven assists, two steals and one block in 31 minutes.
He was outstanding — except for that final isolated 3-pointers — and got the job done on both ends of the floor.
Miami just made 10 threes, but they forced 20 Blazers turnovers — including 17 live-ball turnovers with nine combined steals from Dru Smith and Davion Mitchell — leading to 32 important points.
It was an off night from Norman Powell, but he still finished with 22 points; Jaime Jaquez Jr. added 14 points with 12 rebounds and seven assists; Pelle Larsson had 16 points with five rebounds while Andrew Wiggins added 15 points.
The Heat improve to 6-4, the third time they’ve sported a 6-4 record or better over their first 10 games since the start of the 2020-21 season. Portland, meanwhile, dropped to 5-4.
Miami responded after a quick 15-3 Blazers lead, scoring 45 points in the second quarter that netted another half with at least 70-plus points (72). The two teams jostled back-and-forth in the second half, but it was Jovic, Jaquez, Mitchell and Powell to lead the Heat down the stretch.
The Heat play host to the Cleveland Cavaliers for a home-home back-to-back beginning on Monday at 7:30 p.m. EST.
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Okay I’m gonna be honest, I’ve been watching more Blazers than Heat this season. Call me whatever you want. I still love the Heat. I just also love the Blazers. I’m a sports polygamist. Sue me.
All that said, here’s my feeling about what it’s like to play against the Heat:
The offense is relentless. The Heat just come after you with wave after wave of guy after guy. I didn’t even notice Tyler or Bam were gone because the Heat keep coming with Norm and Jamie and Jovic and Ware and Wiggins and Norm again. It’s a relentless assault. It’s not hard to see how they put up 140 in games.
The defense doesn’t swarm the way a traditional Heat defense does. It’s more likely to jump a passing lane or poke the ball away. Maybe I just didn’t watch the right game. But I don’t see them pressuring the ballhandler as much as I see them trying to create turnovers.
Otherwise this team looks rad. They’re way more fun to watch than I expected. I won’t predict how good they’ll be with Bam and Tyler back. But with this supporting cast, there is no reason Bam and Tyler won’t hit their ceiling this year. If they can’t make a run, then they need to trade one of those guys. But I’m fine to watch this season play out and see how it goes.
I’ll definitely check out another Heat game soon. That was fun
Blazers improved a lot, and they are a fan team to watch too, so I don’t blame you. Quality basketball is a rare thing.
But when two such teams play against each other, we have a lot of quality basketball. Great game, great opponent, great Heat team.
Well your handle here says it all. Haha…its ok, so many fans have 2 teams they’re rooting for. I like other teams also…Spurs for example coz of coach Pop. This might be the season Blazers get in the playoffs if that kind of run they’re having continue. Heat will still face your blazers one more time. And we’re gonna go 2-0! Lol
Very interesting article in YardBarker yesterday.
Heat’s brutal Kel’el Ware reality that’s becoming clearer by the dayIt may never click for Kel’el Ware.
Here’s a few excerpts:
he reminds me a little too much of Hassan Whiteside
I hear you. If he is going to be all he can be he has to motivate himself. No one can do that for him. Maybe he doesn’t have the same passion for the game as Mitchell, Jaquez, Larsson and Dru do. He needs to find that passion and commitment to give 100% every play… soon.
That’s BS.
He’s not expected to run as fast as smaller players. However, he is expected to run as fast as HE can. I saw him run (sprint) only a couple of times vs Blazers. Part of it is health, part of it is effort, part of it is passion, part of it is experience and part of it is BBIQ. The jury is still out on exactly what the Heat are dealing with. He’s free to be lazy on some other team’s bench too. Laziness is not compatible with Heat culture. For this team to be successful, every player has to bust his butt. Any player who chooses not to give 100% when healthy, won’t be around long.
Running fast is only small portion of abilities. Abilities like fast deceleration, good lateral moving, acceleration, first step, able to stay low.. etc. are as important as running fast. Bigs needs more time to learn that.
Its very frustrating to watch a small guard going to the rim and score on 7footer, but this is because he has his weight on the wrong foot or because he was a bit from the ideal position or something like that. All that can be mistaken for a lack off effort, but its not really. Its a matter of experience.
Ware give a lot off effort last night. How I know that? Because he collected two or three offensive rebounds at the start of the game.
I thought it was his best game of the season so far.
Maybe. But he played well before in some parts of games.
Very interesting article on Davion Mitchell in today’s Yardbarker. “The unsung hero of the Miami Heat’s great start”
It’s easy to overlook the positive overall effect he has had on the team this year as a playmaker on offense and as point of attack defender. He’s exactly the kind of player the Heat has needed at PG for years.
The question is, what do you do with him once Herro returns. I believe it would be best all the way around if he continues to start at PG. It will give Herro time to get his sea legs back and adjust to the new offense.
The explosiveness of a second unit comprised of Herro, Larsson, Jaquez, Fontecchio and Jovic (with Smith and Jakucionis waiting in the wings) would definitely be one of the most potent offenses in the NBA. It would also give Herro the opportunity to maximize his scoring and reduce the pressure on him defensively against second unit teams.
Things should get very interesting in a couple of weeks.
P.S. I’m still hoping the Heat is able to pick up a quality PF/C to rotate with Bam and Ware.
That’s the question we’re all asking when they ran over their opponents. Tyler. Will you fit? I think we’ll be good if he just fit even if not “flourish” in this new system.
I agree 100%.
@5ReasonsSports
This is a fun Heat team to watch this season.
They play together.
They don’t get down when they fall behind.
Totally different vibe from last season.
Joy, seemingly back.
Just saw this…
The Miami Heat are off to a strong start. Here’s where they rank through 10 games:
2nd – Points per game (124.1)
2nd – Assists per game (30.4)
2nd – Bench scoring (49.7)
3rd – Steals per game (10.4)
6th – Defensive rating (111.4)
13th – Offensive rating (117.2)
13th – Three-pointers made (13.6)
16th – Rebounds per game (43.3)
I think if they can get that 3fgm to top 10 and rebs to at least 10th-12th they’ll be serious contenders in the east.
Nice stats. We won’t know their true potential until they are all healthy. Hopefully that will be soon.
Wow that game was a track meet, balls to the wall speed, at a frenetic pace, gave me a boost of adrenaline. Props to Deni and blazers, they look like a good, young, upcoming team, with solid vets. 2nd game in a row we hit a franchise high scoring in a quarter. 45 in 2nd quarter, is 2nd highest for us in franchise history, after a slow start. Also I want to give big props to niko driver, who had his best game ever in a heat uniform. I was one of the ppl criticizing him, but only cuz ik he had this potential in him. He was even playing like a big and getting a lot of boards and using his size. I hope he becomes like deni, so keep improving like him, and keep proving the doubters wrong. P.s I seen deni last night up close and he his huge 😳
Portland’s previous tanking yrs looks like its paying off earlier than I thought. But as we keep saying its a young season just 9-10 games in. Great win for the Heat on 2 consecutive playing days! If not for their defense though it doesn’t look like they defended well with the final score, Blazers could’ve gotten 150 and the W. Heat got more than a dozen steals, blazers with 20 tos and missed a lot of threes. Props to Niko for a great game. Hoping for more of it just need to fix those tos. Bam you need to suit up in next games. And Tyler, when are you coming back?
Stay safe Manila.
We’re good, thanks! North of Manila is where the super typhoon hit.
Happy belated birthday bro
Thanks Big_guy!
as someone who has followed the Blazers and Heat equally close, I would say the tanking absolutely did not pay off. Who were the two best players on the Blazers last night? Deni and Jrue. Neither was obtained from tanking. By contrast, the Heat drafted Jovic and Jamie while the Blazers were tanking. Would you trade either of those guys for any of the Blazers young players you saw last night?
Im talking in a perspective of wins, their current performance. Even if they botched their high draft picks, they look good. For now.
fair. this is the first time I’ve enjoyed watching the Blazers since the Dame trade. So at least there’s that
You just never know when a young player might figure something out or just gain enough confidence in himself to suddenly have a night like Nico had last night. Especially impressive was the touch he showed in several of his finishes. You can definitely say that we don’t win last night without the game Nico played.
And, this is why you have to be careful in criticizing an nba player. They can make you look foolish one day. Mea culpa Nico, I only wish the best for you.
I am patient with Nico. I am giving him till he is 24 years old before I say that he cannot improve no more. Some guys, you can easily see the future in their 1-2 year playing and there are some guys that takes 4-5 years before they peak,guys like Steve Nash,Kyle Lowry,Ben wallace, Deni Avdija among others.
I watched the game and everytime i see Deni Avdija plays, I can see Jovic doing that if he puts on a little more muscle and gain more experience. A mixture of european fundamentals and nba physicality. The crossover spin around drive from the three point line was a thing fundamental beauty.
I cant wait to see Kasparas play.
Avdija should be a model for him, exactly the same type of player. But I think Nico could be a bit better passer and 3p shooter some day.
KJ will get his chance. We have two point guards, there is a room for another one.
Excellent take DS, and I also am looking forward to watching Kaspar develop.
I’m learning that as a general rule, be quick to praise and slow to criticize Heat players. Everyone gets along much better that way.
It’s not about just getting along better. It’s about giving situations ample time and observing progress or lack thereof. The same principle applies to life in general. Have you ever met someone that rubbed you the wrong way at first, but they become a good friend as you get to know them better?
Plenty of times on finding out someone is a good person despite an initial bad impression. As for the Heat, you never know a players learning curve, but our draft picks have all been made for a reason, that Riley saw something in that player. This is the season where Jaime proved his value and Nico may be starting to reach his potential. I hope we give Kel’el a little time also, as his ceiling is very high, if he figures things out.
I agreed about everything you said, if he can be anything close to deni, that would be a win. I hope he continues proving the doubters wrong. Ik he had this potential in him, now just gotta stay consistent. He was playing like a big too getting a lot of rebounds.
I enjoyed every minute, two teams going full gas 48 minutes. That’s the real basketball. Respect to Portland too.
Jovic finally have a good (but not perfect) game, with a lot of good and not much terrible.
I thing its time to finally settle himselves for that 25 min 15/5/5 average.
My man Vagi and I on the same wavelength as I posted this after the Friday night Hornets game.
Niko seems to always have 2-3 wild shots close to the basket. It’s a combo of wild and forced. If he could clean those up he could be a 14-4-4 guy. He and JJJ have solid chemistry and is why even though he has struggled he is 5th in +/- on the team. Good things tend to happen when he is in the game. He needs to stop pressing and let it flow.
Exactly. He is capable of that right now, but forcing things a bit too much cost him that. I hope this game is a first of many good games.
Unlike last year’s mundane team, this year’s version of the Heat has several special qualities. They are an exciting bunch to watch and the bench is deep. The rotation today went nine deep, without Herro and Bam in the line-up. The players are having fun and are pulling for each other. As I’ve mentioned previously, for some reason, this team reminds of some of the overachieving champions of years gone by such as the 1969 Mets, the 1969 Jets and the 1980 U.S. Olympic Hockey team.
Offensive rebounds and unforced turnovers are still weaknesses that need to be corrected. I noticed that most of the turnovers are being made because of lack of focus or players trying too heard to thread the needle. The team still needs another rotation big. It will be especially noticeable when the Heat plays teams with tall front lines and depth at the PF and C positions, such as the Cavaliers and Knicks. Miami’s next two games are against Cleveland followed by two games against New York. .
I am glad to see Jovic getting more physical. His key to success in the NBA will be to play focused and under control. If he can consistently drive into the paint the way Powell, Jaquez, Mitchell and Larsson do, he will be a much better offensive player. If he can start using his size to rebound and defend in the paint, he has the potential to become a very good two way player. He also needs to be more careful handling the ball. It seems he is still trying to find the style of play best suited to him. Right now, he is caught between a finesse European style and a more physical NBA style of basketball.
The team has six players with scoring averages in double digits. Three more are averaging 9.2 ppg or more. PPGs for the rotation players are as follows:
Powell: 23.3
Adebayo: 19.9
Wiggins: 17.3
Jaquez: 17.1
Fontecchio: 11.2
Jovic: 10.5
Ware: 9.7
Larsson: 9.6
Mitchell: 9.2
Smith: 6.1
When Herro returns, he should average at least 20 ppg. The team should have an even higher PPG average.
Hopefully, Bam will be ready for the Cavs on Monday.
GO HEAT!!!
Interesting interviews. Especially Jovic. He knows he hasn’t been playing his best ball but appears committed to fixing that. Mental attitude is 90% of it. Once he gets his head right, I think he will take his game to another level.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WxR0uz9jL4g
powell and jjj are the difference.we added 2 all stars.2 all stars are injured.thats alot of good players.wiggins look sbetter this year.jovic and ware hopefully continue trending in a good way.things are trending in an upward direction a trade needs to be made for a 3rd quality big though.that rebounding disadvantage against good big teams will rear its ugly head if not fixed
I agree. The quality of the competition can fool you into thinking a deficiency will be okay to have and then you see the better teams exploit it. The good news is we are only getting that other quality big away from being a pretty good team. And you know the Heat will eventually get it because they already tried Precious. This could be a better season than we anticipated.
Of course, Portland came in with 4 or 5 signature wins, including the only Thunder loss. I wholeheartedly agree with all who point out this rebounding deficiency. It has to be fixed. But if you can make a trade, who? Herro? Wiggins? Some may think it’s an easy decision. I don’t.
A key to this season may be what latitude, if any, the league will give this team. We are being punished very unfairly. Rozier has been indicted. Jontay Porter was not indicted, but was permanently suspended. Why is the league treating the Heat differently? Not the same situation, admittedly, but very similar. If the league gave us any part of his salary back without a cap penalty, we’d be able to get a backup center and keep the rest of the team intact.
a month ago half of the team was on sale… right now I wouldnt trade a single player.
But reality is, you need to sell when prices are high.
Excellent observation about Nico being caught between the finesse of European ball and the more physical NBA. That’s a perfect explanation for what we’ve seen from him and how his game may now be transitioning.
Like Ware, Jovic has the “potential” to be a very special player. However, it’s not going to be given to them. They’re going to have to earn it. I hope they both do.
Ware and Jovic need to get stronger and perhaps bigger/bulkier. They get bullied for those rebs. Spo has to use a deep rotation coz of that pace. Easier to get tired. Everyone really looks good with this kind of run and gun game. Plus defense of course.
This was a truly great game and obviously the best game of this early season. If you are any kind of fan, you have to love what you saw tonight. Toe to toe against a much improved Blazers team. Finally got very good games from Jovic and Ware. while we can’t expect 29 points every game, it was a step in the right direction. So many pluses – Dru, Jaquez, Powell and on and on. Very exciting game, great result!
Finally good game from Jovic? Points, sure, but Niko has been top 5 +/- on the team. We’re doing to Niko what Heat fans did to Bosh. Good things happen when Niko is on the floor. I’m just glad we didn’t already trade him away after a few games like some have suggested.
This team is like 1.5 games from top seed while missing Herro for all of them, and Powell and Bam for a few of them. We need every guy on the team over the course of all 82 games. This team is fun and could be a serious problem if we ever get lucky with full health.
Good point, but I think you know what I meant there – a complete game that demonstrated what he is capable of at his best.
Yeah, we don’t need an almost 30 point tripe double to be the standard to say someone played a good game 😛
Hmmm 😑
6 turnovers is too much, especially when most are unforced errors.