(Photo via Miami Heat/X)
The Miami Heat got the job done on Wednesday night against a shorthanded Golden State Warriors squad, winning by a final score of 110-96. Miami improved to 7-1 at home with the win and 9-6 overall— as well as moving up into the Eastern Conference’s sixth seed.
On the second night of a back-to-back, Golden State opted to sit all three of Jimmy Butler, Stephen Curry and Draymond Green. Butler was initially listed as questionable, but then downgraded to out closer to tip-off with what was listed as back soreness, despite dropping 30 points just yesterday in the Warriors’ loss to the Orlando Magic.
Even without Butler and company, the Golden State role players made Miami work for the win. The Heat started the game with a 20-4 lead early on, but saw that lead evaporate after the Warriors had a 54-43 advantage in the second and third quarters combined. However, Miami never let their foot off the gas and dominated the final period 38-22.
The closing efforts were propelled by the duo of Norman Powell and Bam Adebayo. Powell stepped up in the clutch once again, pouring in 17 of his 25 points in that fourth quarter alone.
It was refreshing to see the Heat’s captain in Adebayo return to the court following a six-game absence with a toe injury. It was exactly two weeks since he last played, but the All-Star big man did not show any signs of rust in this one. He extended to 20 straight games of hitting at least one 3-pointer, as his versatility and growth as a floor spreader continues to be on display this season. He was an efficient 3 of 4 from beyond the arc in this game.
Andrew Wiggins also contributed 17 points as he went up against his former Warriors squad. Kel’el Ware dominated the glass in a backup big role off the bench— totaling 7 points and 16 rebounds on the night in just 19 minutes.
Additionally, Jaime Jaquez Jr. had a solid all around game with 12 points, 7 assists, 5 rebounds and two steals. Miami outscored Golden State by 12 points in his 34 minutes off the bench.
The Heat shot 41% from the field and 37% from 3-point range as a team. And their defense held the Warriors to a rough 36% and 27% from deep. The biggest disparity came in the turnover battle, as Miami had a 21-14 edge in their favor.
Next up will be a two-game road trip over the weekend in Chicago and Philadelphia.
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okc gonna win 70?
Looks that way
second best player still injured .houston only team that can beat themi believe
how bout jovic wiggy dru for ad
Absolutely NOT!
I was nervous last season even in case of 20 points lead 5 minutes to go. Not nervous this year. This team has a good chance to win the game against anybody. Powell is a steal of the year.
We now have a closer.
Chicago beat Portland 122-121 on a 3 pointer at the buzzer by 35 year old Nikola Vucevic. https://www.youtube.com/shorts/EMTZuRfpit8
If Vuc can still play well at 35, so can Powell. Give him the extension Pat!
The guy is an A level player. He said he always wanted to play for the Heat. He said he would like to get an extension. He is a solid second option. IMO Bam and Herro are solid third options. This team is not there yet, but is coming together. Jaquez, Davion, Ware, Wiggins, Pelle, Simone, Dru, (yes, even) Jovic make this a deep team that can use those players in the rotation or as trade assets. Kasparas and Keshad (haven’t entirely given up on him yet, but hasn’t shown much) are unknowns. Rozier is dead weight that we are being unfairly penalized for. We have 5 first round picks in the next 6 years – 6 if the league gives us back the Charlotte owed pick. In other words, the team is in better shape than it has been for years.
I always liked “Vuc” Great rebounding and scoring, defense not so much. Kind of like Sabonis. I was hoping Miami would pick him up over the summer as a third big. I can see now he’s not quite ready to be coming off the bench. Not just yet.
I like the youth and depth on the team. Great attitudes. They trust each other and truly enjoy playing on the same team learning together. Lots of smiles.
I have a feeling that Herro will have no problem making the adjustments to his game needed to smoothly transition to the Heat’s new run & gun offense. I can see him and Powell being the outside threats that will open up the floor for the others. Miami is one of the deeper teams in the league. It should be able to run and gun the entire game by frequently substituting one quality player for another.
vuc and sabonis 2 diff bigs.vuc can shoot it .sabonis low post bruiser.both are as good as bam.bams more athletic and better defender.3 good players not great
I think Bam’s ability to defend 1 through 5 places him above both of them. All other numbers are similar.
Bam is a very good defender. Vuc and Sabonis are not. Not the same.
Great assessment. Powell- A player, second option, Herro and Bam third options. Exactly. But, Herro not good on the D. That’s why I like Pelle as a starter better, even though his offense is not nearly as good as Ty’s. The one thing Pelle does better on offense is draw fouls.
But, the role of the number one option player and how your best player can win you close games was on display clearly last night. Powell, a number two option,,was good enough to get us the W last night, but maybe not against the teams with true number one options.
The truth is, against the decimated Warriors last night, we only had something to lose, as a win could not be celebrated against that line up.
We have been in serious agreement lately. If you saw my comments on the thread, you know how I felt losing that game would’ve been humiliating. A decent team has to put games like that in the win column. No celebration, just talking care of business. First level of success this season is a top six finish. Failure would a fourth straight play-in.
hes tough to guard good handle speed size strength shoot it and most of all the mentality of a closer
Glad to get out of that one with a W. Still much to work on. Got outrebounded by a smaller team 61-52. They also outrebounded Heat on the offensive boards. Too many forced shots and missed several easy ones. With teams starting to employ zone defenses to slow down the run & gun game, Spo needs to revisit using more screens, pick and rolls and high post formations, when needed.
On the road to Chicago and Philadelphia next then back home for 4 games against Mavs, Bucks, Pistons and Clippers. Herro should be good to go some time during the homestand.
GO HEAT!!!
P.S. When did Jovic hurt his hip? I hope they send him down to Sioux Falls so he can find his mojo (which is currently M.I.A.).
I personally believe that if I asked before the season who would be happy if the Heat were 9-6 after the first 15 games, most here would raise their hand.
Absolutely! Without Powell, this would be a sub 500 team (6-9 or worse). Without some of the role players stepping up (e.g. Jaquez, Mitchell, Larsson, Smith and Fontecchio) this would be a top 10 lottery team. Don’t hesitate Pat, sign him up for 3 years/$77M. That is dirt cheap for a player of his quality (less than $26M per season) especially when compared to Rozier’s salary this season ($26.6M).
P.S. Looks like Miami has found the closer we’ve been hoping for (at a bargain price)!
yes at closing time he wanted the ball.let me do my god given great balling i was given and gsw couldnt stop him,he has the mentality of a closer and the game to get it done.im shocked we got him for a bag of chips.i would have given up any player besides bam or ware and we got him for nada.
That was an omen. If Herro adjusts well to run & gun and Riley brings in a third big…we’re good to go.
We could use Herro for more scoring right now.
Agree. Or in the situation last night when Norm has 3 fouls in the first half. We’ll always need scoring.
ty can get u 20 and give up 20 has to improve his d to play at closing time or else hes more of a liability than asset end of game.i want ball in norms hand when games on the line
Great example. By exactly using your math, if he gets 20 and gives up 20, he is canceling out his opponent. That means the rest of the team only needs to outscore the rest of the other team by 1 point to win the game. Works for me.
What if he is also dishing out 6-8 assists @ 2-3 points each?
wo powell 500 at best with powell can win east.just no super teams in east