You hear that? The sneakers squeaking on the hardwood? The sweet sound of a “swish” through the nylon? The dribbling, communication and trash talk between the lines?
Miami Heat basketball is back like it never left — even though it was for nearly six months. The Heat tip off Wednesday night against the Orlando Magic at 7:00 p.m. EST inside Kia Center. We know they are going to be without star guard Tyler Herro — in addition to rookie Kasparas Jakucionis — but what will the rest of their opening night rotation look like?! Let’s do some predictions!
Starting Lineup:
- Davion Mitchell, G
- Norman Powell, G
- Andrew Wiggins, F
- Nikola Jovic, F
- Bam Adebayo, C
This is where I ultimately landed.
In all fairness, this has essentially been my most realistic starting lineup all season. While Ware, who started 36 games, had moments alongside Bam Adebayo last season, there are a couple of reasons why I have him coming off the bench to begin the season if he can suit up (he’s questionable with a sprained ankle).
- Jovic is a more natural fit alongside Adebayo if the Heat plan to run. Jovic is the Heat’s best grab-and-go threat, as well as one of their best playmakers and play finishers in transition.
- Without Duncan Robinson in the picture and no Herro, the Heat need as much shooting as they can. The Ware-Adebayo lineup, while good defensively, is quite murky offensively … and you can’t afford to have bad spacing against an elite Magic defense that will return Jalen Suggs.
- Miami has no bigs, unless you’re itching to see Vlad Goldin; you can play them together for short spurts, but stagger as much as you can.
Mitchell, Powell, Wiggins and obviously Adebayo were all easy insertions for me. There’s a world where Spoelstra starts Dru Smith ahead of Mitchell, but I don’t predict that happening.
Bench (in no order):
Dru Smith, G
Speaking of Smith: He was moving quite well in preseason, all things considered, and we know he’s going to be lumped somewhere in this rotation. Spoelstra loves him; he generates deflections at an insane level, can knock down 3-point shots and won’t make many mistakes.
Kel’el Ware, C
This is all assuming Ware plays. The Magic have a deep, physical frontcourt, but I think Ware’s capable of playing well if he shows the consistent effort he did in three of his final four preseason efforts. Consistency, consistency, consistency!
Pelle Larsson, G
I was very encouraged with everything I saw from Larsson this summer. Yes, the shooting is a slight concern for some, but I think he’ll knock down 3-pointers at a respectable rate in 2025-26. I think he leaps — as well as being one of the Heat’s best point-of-attack defenders, as he was as a rookie. He’s also one of their smartest cutters and decision-makers.
Simone Fontecchio, F
Fontecchio will have to be more efficient from 3-point range than he was in preseason (3-11; 27.3 3P%). That’s his calling card. He can get on a heater real quick, which the Heat will need.
Jaime Jaquez Jr., F
I’m not going to read much into it … but Jaquez looked great in preseason. He looked closer athletically to how he was as a rookie; he was making snap, sound decisions; he was efficient; he looked better defensively than he what he showed last year. I really hope that all translates to the regular season for the Heat’s third-year wing, who will be extension eligible at the end of this season.
What do you think the Heat rotation looks like? Let us know in the comments!
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If Ware doesn’t play tonight, Riley has already put the Heat “behind the 8 ball” against one of the leagues taller line-ups.
Miami needs two more bigs. One to complete the 3 man rotation with Bam and Ware and another one in reserve. If Riley wants the team to get out in one piece in the next few weeks, one or more trades may be in the cards (sooner than later).
You jovic lovers are so delusional ware is a wayyyyyy way better fit alongside bam without ware in the starting lineup it’s going to be a long season when Herro gets back the Miami Heat should really consider this lineup Herro powell Wiggins bam ware bench Mitchell smith Larsson Jaime jaquez jr jovic
Kel’el Ware is a way better fit then jovic you jovic lovers starting to be very delusional ware an bam fits perfectly jovic should come off the bench
even with one leg?