Unlike last year, the Miami Heat have done a decent job closing teams out when they’re ahead.
They have only blown five double-digit leads (T-8 fewest) and four fourth-quarter leads (T-2 fewest) this season. That wasn’t the case against the Boston Celtics. They blew a 15-point second-half lead, getting outscored 43-21 over the game’s final 13:05 en route to a 119-114 Celtics win.
It was far from perfect for the Heat, who dropped to 21-20 at the midway point of the season. However, head coach Erik Spoelstra continued to applaud rookie Kasparas Jakucionis, who was one of the Heat’s best players.
“That’s been one of the bright spots for sure,” Spoelstra said about Jakucionis’ emergence after the game. “He’s been ready basically every time he’s been given an opportunity. He keeps on getting better. He gives us something different, particularly without [Davion Mitchell] out there. He can make some plays and he’s fearless.”
Jakucionis finished with a bench-high 12 points on 3-of-4 shooting from 3-point range, including a pair of 3-pointers in the fourth quarter. He also had eight assists (to three turnovers) with five rebounds across 27 minutes.
“I love that he was taking those shots in the fourth quarter,” Spoelstra said. “He had a big three. … Positionally, I thought he was in front of [Anfernee Simons]. Simons was just stepping back — he looked like [Damian Lillard] out there for some stretches. But I was encouraged by Kas.”
For the season, Jakucionis’ stats aren’t gaudy. He’s averaging 4.3 points and 1.9 rebounds on 48.4 percent shooting from 3-point range and 55.0 percent true shooting. He currently has a negative assist-to-turnover ratio, but he’s still trying to make the right plays with the ball in his hands, according to Heat star Bam Adebayo.
“He’s trying to do the right thing every play,” Adebayo said. “He’s trying to play fast; he’s trying to overcommunicate. And when you see a young guy like that, he has a bright future for him cause he’s committing to what we’re telling him, what we’re asking of him. He’s going to get his turn at some point.”
There is still plenty of room for improvement in the rookie’s ballhandling, off-ball defense and finishing. Where he’s impressed me most about him is his on-ball defense; I admittedly had questions about his foot speed in the pre-draft process, but he’s quieted those in his limited sample.
Nevertheless, Jakucionis is ironing out the kinks. It’s all a part of the developmental process for the 19-year-old, who has appeared in 14 of the team’s last 15 games.
“I have to stay ready always,” he said. “And whenever I get the chance, I just try to embrace it. Outside of that, I just try to be ready, work out and watch film and be mentally ready. … It’s basketball, so you just try to play the right way.
“I think we have crazy talented guys that I never played with in my life that type of player. I’m just happy to be there and try to help them get in their spots and make plays for them.”
***
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“Quiet Quitting” is like cheating on your ex-wife. If you did it to her, you’ll do it to the next one.
According to Joe Vardon of The Athletic, Morant reportedly told multiple teammates that he refuses to play for Memphis anymore. Some around the league are speculating that is the main reason why Morant hasn’t played in the last few games despite originally being listed as “questionable” on the injury report.
Good analogy. Eventually the quiet quitting will likely happen. But, you do also likely get the two to three years of Morant reestablishing his brand.
If Kaspar, with his nice three ball, and little else of an offensive game at this junction, is one of the teams bright spots, we are probably drinking a little too much of the Heat hype Kool Aid.
I say, what have we got to lose? Every other potential A player will come with a higher cost in players and picks, or more competition from other teams for his services.
We may have just looked a gift horse in the mouth. Trying to improve is definitely better than the status quo. We are going nowhere with the team we have. That is a virtual certainty.
Remember, this started out and continues to be a GAP year. The Heat management was not expecting to get into the Finals after last years crappy record. They were hoping to be better than a play-in team, which is still the objective. Sometimes, we gotta take one step back before we can take two steps forward. Hell, Riley still hasn’t brought in front court help.
Sure could use Rozier’s slot
Who called it a gap year besides you and a few others? This is a playin stick in purgatory cause they too prideful too tank and those above spo know he isn’t a good developer of players, gets the most out of gleaguers undrafted players sure. Drafted in the first round hell no. Once Powell was signed no one said shit about a gap year now all of a sudden when this team is average again is a gap year. Blending two timelines isn’t working and it’s time for a rebuild bam herro norm Wiggins sold to the highest bidder and get some talent in the draft. Do we know if they are gonna pan out no……can we get a chance to find out though?
I saw a proposal of Bam to Celtics for Anfernee Simmons, Luka Garza, 2 draft picks (2026 and a later one), and a draft swap.
its not a gap year btw u dont get norm if your gapping.i would do that deal right now if for no other reason to free ware.garza better than shnozzy will ever be.simon looked good versus us but he was being guarded by kas alot.hes silky smooth though u get him and ja u have a completely diff bc .a rotation of ja (dav dru)norm simon like it..
Nah that’s a lame duck trade
Tank is a tricky thing. Just ask Philly fans.
Since 2014, they got 3 no 1 picks, and 2 no 3 pick, and all together around 40 players via draft in that period
But their best player is 21th first round pick.
Miami got 12 players via draft in the same period, the highest pick was 10th, and it was a bust (Justice).
Not to mention that Philly never made past 2nd round in PO in past 10 years, and most of that time Philly was hard to watch.
You probably know what Miami accomplished during that time. Basically everything but winning it all.
nothing guarnated in selling everybody off.fk no to that rather have a competitive team year in year out then suking for who knows howllong just get a disgruntled or very good player or two.i enjoy watching the heat with a pretty good squad knowing with a move or two could be a very competitive team.u tank u will dissapear off the sports map until u get better which could be a decade.just get a better gm and im fine with that.pat under most sports teams with these bad contracts would have been fired by now.
Agree.
There were several articles before the season regarding 2025-2026 being a gap year for Miami. This is one.
Heat fans must hold on to this silver lining ahead of gap year Even just one step forward would be massive
By Benjamin Henderson (allucanheat) Aug 21, 2025
Here’s an excerpt:
...”The 2025-26 campaign is going to be an awkward one for the Miami Heat. They are going to enter the year with a roster that isn’t going to be good enough to win a title but also isn’t going to be awful enough to tank and get a top pick in the 2026 draft.
To put it simply, the Heat are facing a gap year that most people would simulate in NBA 2K26.
But if you look at the positive side of things, there is a pathway that 2025-26 could set Miami up for years to come”…
nah nobody will go to games miami front runner city not sure if u live here but the heat would dissapear into oblivion.u can get good in bball very fast.only takes one great move cleve got donovan nyk brunson ind hali lal luka.f retool maybe in football but bball get real good overnight.need a better gm pats to old .
Front runner. You’re definitely right about that.
need bc help also (pg) single digits ppg where do u see that on any good team .for years jimmy covered up a pretty weak team.we got lucky with norm and development of jjj.so with a good move or two we can be very competitive team when the f is pat gonna get off the cruise ship.gotta give ware 35 minutes period dumbot.dont give me this shnozzy guy anymore u clueless film child.your step father made another contract mistake but please weve seen enough.how many looks do u need.to make an evaluation.
While I don’t know how good (or not) Kas may turn out, 3-4 on ft, plus 8 assists indicates he has more than little else of an offensive game. But there’s a long way to go before we know what we have. I like him.
He was also 3-4 3-pointers and is shooting them at a 48.4% clip.
hes hardly played.hes going to have problems guarding speed that will never change.to early to tell his offense,looks like his 3pt shot from the corner is spot on.hes fearless.makes the right plays seems .long way to go to judge him.rather have ja as my future pg
‘long way to go to judge him’
But already judged him on his ability to guard at his ripe old age of 19.
His foot speed on ball d is better then herro too.
I said he’s got a nice three ball and he is a very good athlete. Yes, the assists were another positive. And, there is definitely time for improvement. But, I haven’t seen him scoring on three levels yet. I just mean that the Heat overhypes too soon at times. He could get a lot better, and he needs to, if he’s going to fulfill his potential and become a viable player on a good team.
a bc of herro and kaspar with a fc of jovic and pelle will get u —– a smile from pat
Try playing that against the Knicks or Sixers, or Cleveland. That smile might turn upside down. I watched the Sixers against Cleveland last night. It’s like a different game, a different world. It would be more like Louie Dampier and Pat trying to play Texas Wesleyan.
I just saw this article.
Warriors’ dream reunion is closer than ever before after latest trade rumors
Here’s an excerpt:
“Would Miami take Kuminga, Buddy Hield and Golden State’s first-round pick this year for Wiggins and a minimum salary? Maybe they’d decline that, but surely it’s a conversation the Warrior front office should be trying to have with Pat Riley and company.”
https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nba/warriors-dream-reunion-is-closer-than-ever-before-after-latest-trade-rumors/ar-AA1UnpaP?ocid=hpmsn&cvid=696ae4707f8c4195b4b85330c79ff51f&ei=17
Do it!
gsw needs a center desperately they have jimmy at sf no need for wiggy.
Wiggy can play sg also
I have a feeling this kid is going to turn into a good guard, not sure yet if a PG or SG. He, Jaquez and Ware should be getting as much playing time as possible.
as long as bam is here ware is blocked
Yup, Bam is to blame for Ware’s lack of effort.
hes lost on offense just stands around 3 pt line
I’ve noticed you V and a few others complain about Ware standing on the 3 pt line. Don’t you think Spo would move him if he didn’t want him there? Asking for a friend
And that’s Bam’s fault.