We’re now in the home stretch of the 2025-26 Miami Heat.
With just 26 games to go, the Heat begin their post-All-Star break adventure on the road against the Atlanta Hawks at 7:30 p.m. EST.
Miami entered the break just two games above .500 at 29-27, including just a 4-5 record over its previous nine games. Hoping to avoid its fourth-straight play-in appearance, the Heat are 1.5 games behind the Philadelphia 76ers for the No. 6 seed in the East. Though they’re also one game back of Orlando, who owns the head-to-head tiebreaker, having beaten the Heat in all of their meetings this season.
While Norman Powell’s availability is in question, the Heat will likely be getting back guard Tyler Herro ahead of Friday’s matchup. Herro has missed all but 11 games this season, including the last 15 with a rib injury. Herro and Powell have played in eight games this season, going 3-5 — though the duo owns a plus-5.1 NET in 143 minutes together (small sample).
This will be the Heat’s first game against the new-look Hawks without guard Trae Young, who was traded to Washington in early January. What is your expectations and prediction? Let us know in the comments!
Injury Report (at the time of this publishing):
Atlanta Hawks:
NOT YET SUBMITTED AT TIME OF PUBLICATION
Miami Heat:
- Norman Powell (back) — QUESTIONABLE
- Tyler Herro (rib) — PROBABLE
- Keshad Johnson (calf) — QUESTIONABLE
- Terry Rozier (not with team) — OUT
Projected Starting 5 (subject to change):
Atlanta Hawks:
- Dyson Daniels, G
- Nickeil Alexander-Walker, G
- Jalen Johnson, F
- Zaccharie Risacher, F
- Onyeka Okongwu, C
Miami Heat:
- Davion Mitchell, G
- Tyler Herro, G
- Andrew Wiggins, F
- Bam Adebayo, F/C
- Kel’el Ware, C
Broadcast Info:
- Tipoff: 7:30 PM EST
- TV: FanDuel Sports Network Sun (Eric Reid & John Crotty)
- Radio: AM 560 Sports WQAM & The HEAT Radio Network (Jason Jackson)
- Spanish Radio: WAQI 710 AM & The HEAT Spanish Radio Network (José Pañeda)
Come back to Hot Hot Hoops at game time to join our GameThread and chat about the game live with other Heat fans!
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This is an excerpt from an article today in allucanheat.
“ESPN’s Shams Charania reported on a few of the NBA’s plans to enact anti-tanking beginning next season. One of those proposals speaks right to the Heat, in which teams that make the Play-In Tournament would also be eligible to participate in the lottery.
It’s a move that would’ve given the hit a shot to win the lottery, despite still making the playoffs each of the last few seasons. It would also help bridge the difference of philosophy between fans that want the Heat to flat out tank vs. playing for the playoffs (especially when creeping out of the Play-In Tournament seems unlikely).
Here are the rest of the proposals that could be implemented as soon as next season:
Both Powell and Keshad are now listed as available for tonight’s game.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLcXFW4OKGc
Heat have the rest advantage this game and are 3.5 point favorites on the road. ATL played last night and should have tired legs. But ATL is always dangerous with guys like NAW, McCollum who can go for 30 or 40. Jalen Johnson is their best player averaging 23/10/8 and getting All-NBA buzz – Zach Lowe said he should be 3rd team – but he’s awful on defense, I expect that to be a big factor here.
I’m excited to see how the rest of the season plays out. So happy basketball is back. Go HEAT!
I second that emotion
never was into hockey much until panthers got good now i enjoy hockey alot.fast paced lots contact
Since you are receiving responses totally unrelated to your comment, I’d just like to say I like apple pie more than cheesecake. 😀
2qb big marlins guy
Finally. That was a long break.
keshad ? wtf he was flying over human beings few days ago .powell?? he better play did he get hurt at asg im tired of him not playing .no way hes getting 3 years from pat.2s the max or bye bye use his $$ for some younger help.a fresh ty is hard to stop keep his minutes minimized only way to use him.how many 2gs do we have pat
Yes, he was flying with a runway and no refs or other players. 😉
I’m all for Kesha’s. Heck, I’m on record for us drafting him or Pelle in second round, but let’s take it easy or Mac McClung would be a baller
hes got to play before mip.marlins tomorrow
Well, he can’t play since he hurt himself dunking. MIP ready to roll.
Go Fish!
How the Power of Positive Thinking changed my life. ~ h4l. ~
my life need not be changed not sure about yours
Wife and I have been on cruise control for 16 years. No need to change. Life is good.
The quest to avoid the play in is on. And no one has an easier schedule than us. The Raptors have a pretty good lead on us but their schedule is much tougher than ours. And you can just about count Orlando out of the sixth seed with who they have left to play. I think it comes down to the Sixers and us and their schedule is harder than ours. But, we do play them head to head three times. The health of a Embiid will be the determining factor. It’s going to be an exciting stretch run.