The Miami Heat picked up their third straight win for the first time this season Sunday night, securing a 122-113 win over the top-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers inside Kaseya Center.
Sunday’s win also came on the second leg of a back-to-back for the Heat, who are now the third team to beat the Cavaliers–the other two being Atlanta (twice) and Boston–this season. Miami also improved to 12-10, the first time through 22 games that it is at least two games above .500.
Tyler Herro led the way for the Heat once again, tallying a game-high 34 points on 10-of-19 shooting and 5-of-9 from 3-point range. He also hauled down six rebounds with seven assists, as he continued to play and impact like an All-Star caliber player. Duncan Robinson was not far behind him with 23 points on 7-of-11 shooting and 4-of-6 from distance; Bam Adebayo had 16 points on 7-of-12 shooting with 13 rebounds, six assists and one block; Jimmy Butler had 18 points and five rebounds while Terry Rozier totaled 14 points in 28 minutes off the bench.
After a rough shooting start, the Heat finished Sundady 16-of-37 from 3-point range–12 of those coming in the second half at a 63.2 percent clip. They still struggled on non-rim 2s, but outscored Cleveland at the rim (38-30) and at the free-throw line (24-17), which were the ultimate difference.
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More nice news. The Heat’s season offensive rating has gone from 22 to 9th, as in top 10 offense in the league. Hoping to see the trend continue.
Where’s Heat4life? Wanted to have a discussion with him about Hassan Whiteside.
ain’t nobody out here doing it with blocks
Interesting article about Miami’s Big 3 playing well together, plus Dru Smith and Duncan Robinson.
https://allucanheat.com/miami-heat-big-3-fueling-win-streak-2-more-observations-from-recent-win
The Heat’s next game isn’t until Thursday (12th) vs Toronto followed by Detroit next Monday (16th) before resuming their regular schedule on December 20th vs OKC. That’s three games in the next 11 days.
There is much time during practice and games for Spo to take a closer look at how Ware and Johnson look to determine if either is ready for regular playing time. I have a feeling if Johnson, like Dru Smith, is given meaningful minutes vs Toronto or Detroit, it will be difficult to get him out of the rotation. The players I see as being vulnerable to losing minutes to him are Highsmith, Love and Jaquez. If Ware can demonstrate the ability to play effectively in limited minutes relieving Bam, he too may find a spot in the rotation. His minutes would come from Love and Bryant.
These are very interesting times for Miami. The team may be on the verge of something big. Time will tell.
GO HEAT!!!
I’ve said since summer league that I believed the most NBA level player on the 2-way contracts was Keshad. Haha, I was wrong. Turned out to be Dru. But I think Brown is a solidly built 6’7” defender with offensive upside.
Oops, I said Brown instead of Keshad because he reminds me a little of Bruce Brown.
Happy for all you prognosticators out there. We have something to build on now. I think Dru may be making that rare move from GLeaguer to nba player, like HH, and Dunc. If KJohnson can do it too, the future suddenly will look bright.,Kudos to the Heat for developing these players. And if Ware can stabilize our biggest weakness, we can be a challenger for more than a play.-in spot. Of course, one good trade for a quality big could get us there too.
I can’t believe I am saying this, as I would not have only a week ago.
Great. I was about to join you in the pessimists camp, but I will wait a bit after this game.
You were smart to wait. It’s really all about our big three being healthy, and with Dunc and Terry, we now are having enough scoring. The excitement is the potential of the other three players, as if Dru can break thru like this, maybe Ware and Johnson can too.
But, honestly, maybe they won’t also. Johnson and Ware, who took different routes to the GLeague, may have the talent but only the rare player comes thru in games, especially in crunch time. We really may have that rare player in Dru Smith, the type that keeps his composure at high stress moments. He could be a true needle in a haystack or diamond in the rough- definitely not a fly in the soup.
Ointment. Fly in the ointment. It’s in the bible.
True, but,
”There’s a fly in my soup” is a common phrase used to express disgust or complaint about finding an unwanted insect, like a fly, in your food…”
I remember it most often in corny jokes with responses like these.
What do you expect for 85 cents, a beetle?
My apologies. I must have missed him when I picked out the other three.
Quiet sir, all the other diners will want one.
No I believe that’s a vitamin bee. This is a health food restaurant.
But, yes, you are 100% correct about the original biblical reference.
Wikipedia says that expression comes from Greece fables.
There are plenty of jokes about restaurants, but there is no connection here.
The fly in the soup around here is always used as expression for something is not entirety right with something. I used that expression to warn SunMan that his perfectly constructed deal with Nets has fatal flaw. Or fly in the soup.
I did bother to check online bible for flies and ointment and I didnt find anything. So its the end of the road for me.
But it wasn’t a waste of time, I learned something new. I will test the Fly in the ointment on the first American I ll found.
In our neck of the woods growing up (Arizona) we didn’t worry about flies in our food, it was big ass cockroaches. So there’s that. Jus saying.
Well, yeah, everything in new world is twice of the size as in the old world… so flies are the main problem around here. Woods in Arizona? Shouldn’t be a desert there?
Absolutely right! I think with the big three plus Duncan stabilizing the starting unit, it is a matter of solidifying the rotation. Dru and Rozier are solid second team players, as long as both can continue performing consistently.
What the Heat can use is another big to help Bam with his interior chores (and perhaps free Bam to be the best version of himself as a punishing All-NBA/All-Defensive Team Power Forward). I believe by the time the playoffs roll around, that big will be Kel’el Ware.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SfNn4iAfP8I
In addition, the Heat can use another SF/PF type who can play solid defense, rebound and score on the second team and as a “small ball” PF with the first unit. I believe that SF/PF will be Keshad Johnson.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rEah__xkcNg
That still gives Miami Highsmith, Jaquez, Larsson, Richardson, Bryant, Burks, Love, and Jovic in reserve or as candidates for trade.
Note: Richardson, Bryant and Burks are on expiring contracts.
I know Mobley got hurt in the first half. Nonetheless, I was pleasantly surprised to see Miami outrebounded Cleveland 48-37.
Great Win!
Tylers Game is definitely more well rounded. Duncan is now playing real defense. Drusky is a legit rotation player. Bam is trying to expand his offense, and he’s taking one step back so he can take two steps forward.
I would like to see more size in the lineup. More Jovic and Ware, less Bryant. I think Butler is still underwhelming, but if Tyler can drop 30 a night (which he’s damn near doing), Butler can focus on closing out games.
I haven’t been super excited about the Heat this season, but I usually give them until New Year’s to figure things out. They have a decent record and they’re starting to come together. I’m cautiously optimistic
Hola. I noticed your cronies over at Blazers Edge are having a cow regarding the play of Ant, Grant and Ayton. How does that saying go? “Be careful what you wish for, you might get it.” Sure glad Cronin didn’t take Riley up on Herro, young players and draft picks for Lillard.
https://www.blazersedge.com/2024/12/9/24317159/anfernee-simons-trade-portland-trail-blazers-stats-draft-history-career-average
It feels like this is the season where people finally realize that Cronin has no idea what he’s doing. It only took four seasons, but I think they’re finally getting there. I can’t wait until a couple years from now, when they start handing out hundred million dollar contracts to all these high draft picks that have never sniffed a playoff game
I thought “the process” in Philly was bad but Portland’s is ridiculous. It’s the owner Allen calling the shots. Portland fans deserve better than those two idiots.
I check the situation in Portland from time to time. The return from Lillard trade looks bad.
I m happy for Dru, he really became a player.
Dru Smith Bandwagon!
The best game in years, against elite team, coming to play. So tere is potential in this team, which is a great news.
Spo did it again, construct a great building from spare parts. who would thought, such lineups are possible.
This is very quality level of the game, presented by both teams.
Definitely the best game of the season so far. Spo has this team in the top-6, and they’re still just rounding into form. For the first time this season, I’m starting to feel a little optimistic
The same feeling here.
Interestingly, I think the combo of Dru with Rozier allows Rozier to play more freely. Puts him in his natural sg position, doesn’t need to handle as much, and Dru clearly is able to cover the defensive end. In fact, there were times it appeared as if Dru was in 2 places at the same time. Incredible effort.
The Heat can convert Dru to a regular contract in the not too distant future – maybe January? I know it is when a pro rated vet minimum contract amount keeps them under the second apron. Dru has clearly earned it. That would allow them to slide Stevens into Dru’s 2-way contract. He has been handing out 10 dimes + a number of times lately. To clear further space to open a couple of slots, and assuming the team keeps playing well (ie – Riley does NOT trade Butler this season), the likely candidates to be traded are Richardson and or Jovic. Not sure if they’ll bring much more than a second rounder or an end of the bench player, but it would free up a little money.
Heck yeah Dru Smith Bandwagon! I think the Heat should give him something like a 2-year $10 million deal and lock him down while they can. I could see him having a Patrick Beverly style career. He can be a rotation player for a title contender
I think Dru would be very happy with just getting a regular contract. And I believe he’d happily sign for 3 years/$6 million.
I think the league minimum is $2.5. And if the Heat give Dru that kind of contract, it’s probably a 1 & 1 with a player option. I think he’d outplay that contract and hit free agency. I’d rather see them lock him down with something like 3/$20 with a team option.
Basically the same contract they gave to Gabe, Max, and Caleb
Why would they give him a player option? And remember, they can’t give more than the prorated minimum because it would put them over the second apron. So that $5 million + you’re suggesting is not possible. Maybe down the road, but impossible now.
That was a very well played game by Miami from beginning to end. I didn’t think I would see that version of the team again (2023 play-in to Finals version). There are many positives that came out of this game.
The team is “clicking.” The players know their roles and are finding a comfort zone playing together. This is not the same team it was a month ago, or even a week ago.
The team’s defense is improving and can be stifling. AD scored 8 points in the Laker game. Bradley Beale scored 15 points yesterday and Donovan Mitchell scored 12 points today.
Playoff Jimmy may be gone (because “Father Time” spares no one) but this recent version is not far behind. When he shows up focused and is prepared to give 100%, it positively impacts the whole team.
Herro has matured to the point where the game has slowed down for him. He sees the floor clearly and is able to dissect the defense. He is truly playing at an all-star level and as the team’s #1 scorer. His FG%, 3 PT%, rebounds and assists are all up this year.
Bam seems to have settled down and is more comfortable with his evolving role as a rebounder, playmaker and scorer. I think he was putting too much pressure on himself to pick up the slack while Jimmy was out or not performing at his previous level.
Duncan was a starter before he lost his shooting touch in 2023 (32.8%). This year he is at 38.8%. He is familiar and comfortable starting with Bam, Butler and Herro and they are comfortable with him. It seems the more minutes he plays the better he gets. I even saw a bit of defense out of him today.
Dru Smith is working his way into a solid rotation player. He is intelligent, a good playmaker, a good defender, tough/scrappy and low maintenance. He fits in with either the first or second units. He can be trusted defensively in the closing minutes.
Terry Rozier may have found a new home as the SG with the second unit with Smith handling PG duties. Once he accepts that he is more valuable and effective coming off the bench, he should work out fine.
Waiting in the wings…
I see the team being able to improve further if/when Kel’el Ware and Keshad Johnson are at the point where they can play meaningful minutes. Ware brings interior defense and rebounding. Johnson brings the ability to guard multiple positions, rebounding and scoring. He has similar size and weight to Jimmy and can play PF. I can see him in the rotation soon and possibly starting in Haywood Highsmith’s spot down the road, with Highsmith splitting time with Jaquez on the second unit.
Despite all the positive very recent developments, my position on this season is unchanged. Unless the team has demonstrated by the trade deadline, or sooner, that it can be competitive/have a shot at a championship, Riley needs to look at all options, including trading older assets for younger assets and draft picks.
Meanwhile, I will be watching the games and hoping for the best.
GO HEAT!
Here’s a funny stat. I’m not making a judgement about it, just stating it. The Duncan/Herro starting lineup is now 7-2.
It is a fact and kudos to Spo, who owns the bragging right with the move. However, just like you did, teams will begin to notice and game plan against that line up. One strategy will be to disrupt the duo by getting the foul prone Duncan into foul trouble. Can it hold up down the road, we shall see.
Heck yeah. Let’s bring back Max Struss to get the “Tres Leches” rolling again
beat the best team. two wins in two nights vs two quality teams. three game winning streak. top 5 in east. offense getting better. lets just hope for continuity. someone spoke about stability and a team gets that via continuity…go Heat!
So nice, have to say it twice – WHAT A GAME!