Miami Heat: 10 important takeaways through 20 games

Can you already believe it?! We are 20 games into the 2025-26 Miami Heat season. What are 10 of our biggest takeaways through one-fourth of their campaign?! Let’s dive into it!

1. Heat’s emphasis on playing fast has carried over:

Before the season, I wanted the Heat to play faster. Well, they have done that, and then some. Through 20 games, the Heat are outpacing the rest of the NBA, by a lot. They are first in PACE at 106.1, nearly two possessions per 48 minutes above the next-highest team (Bulls — 104.4). They are running and gunning by far the most of any Erik Spoelstra-led team behind their new free-flowing offenses that have all but eliminated ball screens from the equation. Teams have done a successful job slowing them down by playing zone, but the Heat have still played at a 105.7 PACE over the last two weeks.

2. Rebounding remains an issue:

Rebounding has, uncharacteristically, been an issue for the Heat. They are currently No. 27 in defensive rebounding percentage and are a bottom-third team in total rebounding percentage. Surrendering long rebounds has been an ongoing issue, though Bam Adebayo’s insertion back into the lineup has helped. Rebounding wins championships. I trust those numbers progress closer to the mean as the season ages.

3. Heat are second in scoring … but 13th in offensive efficiency:

As a result of the fast-paced offense, the Heat have scored at one of the highest rates in the NBA. They have four 140-point games under their belt … doubling their previous single-season record of two. However, they have been the 13th-most efficient. Miami is 12th in both effective field goal percentage and true-shooting percentage with the 8th-best 3-point percentage (while being in the bottom-third in 3PM per possession). I think the Heat offense is closer to No. 13 than they are second, but closing the gap while maintaining a high scoring output could be very beneficial long term.

4. Heat have been a top-3 defense:

Despite this chaotic up-tempo offense, Miami has still been one of the league’s best defenses. They have a pair of elite point-of-attack defenders in Davion Mitchell and Dru Smith, arguably the best defender in the sport in Bam Adebayo, plus a number of impactful defenders (Pelle Larsson, Andrew Wiggins, Keshad Johnson, Kel’el Ware). Nikola Jovic, who’s had a difficult start to season, Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Simone Fontecchio have all shown legitimate flashes, too.

5. Their depth has been a strength:

Miami’s bench has been among the best in the NBA. Depth has been its strength. Led by Jaquez, Miami’s bench has the sixth-best NET Rating while being third in scoring. Jovic and Fontecchio have struggled of late, but the Heat can still go 9-10 deep at any point … and they will need to continue to lean into their depth if they continue to push pace.

6. Heat is scoring nearly half of their points … in the paint!:

Paint touches are the most fashionable form of offense. If you can get two feet into the paint, you can bend a defense and keep them in rotation, whether you kick it out, dump it off or put up a shot within ~8 feet of the rim. Miami has relentlessly attacked the rim this season, leading the NBA in drives (25.2) with the ninth-best field goal percentage on those drives. Better yet, the Heat are scoring nearly half of their points (46.4 percent) — with the only teams scoring more are the Detroit Pistons and New Orleans Pelicans.

7. Do the Heat have an emerging All-Star in Norman Powell?

Norman Powell has been a revelation for Miami. His minutes alongside Tyler Herro are still a work in progress, but he is still averaging 24.7 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.4 assists on 49.8 percent shooting and 44.4 percent from 3-point range in 16 games. He’s playing at an All-Star caliber level.

8. They have gotten leaps from multiple youngsters:

Leaning into their youth should continue to be a priority for the Heat. They have gotten great play at different points from Ware, Jaquez and Larsson, which is huge in the short- and long-term. Jovic is the odd man out, but I still don’t think there’s a reason not to trust that the 22-year-old will continue to grow long-term (growing pains exist) the more experience he gets. All in all, it’s very encouraging how Miami’s youth has developed through this early portion … and let’s hope there’s more to come!

9. Heat have already completed most difficult part of schedule:

How this group fared through their first 20 games — without Herro, mind you — was a big question of mine heading into the season. They scored 13 wins before their 20th game for only the fifth time since 2011-12, which I don’t think anyone expected at this point. They have played the fifth-most difficult schedule in the sport, according to Dunks & Threes, with the fourth-easiest remaining schedule.

10. One of Dru Smith and Davion Mitchell must be on the floor at one time:

The Heat have some of the best point-of-attack defense from these two aforementioned guards in the NBA. One must be on the floor at all times to hound opposing other ballhandlers. They have a minus-21 NET Rating when neither is on the floor across a big enough sample to take into consideration, as Herro-Powell-Wiggins continue to jell together.

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