Tyler Herro cooked the Rockets so hard that Amen Thompson had to throw him down to make it stop, but the Heat were already too far ahead.  The crew overcame the league’s second-rated defense plus 13 lead changes en route to one of the top wins of the season. 

“That’s what happens when someone’s scoring, throwing dimes, doing the whole thing. I’d get mad, too,” Herro said in the locker room postgame.

Herro led the way early, dribbling to the hoop for a couple of baskets and hitting a deep pull-up. Terry Rozier logged four shots and Adebayo made two in the paint.

But the defense couldn’t stop Alperen Şengün piercing the lane four times, and Rozier fouled Jalen Green on a 3-point try. 

Then Adebayo, Rozier and Highsmith added two field goals apiece, but the rest of the team made two of nine. Defensively, 3-pointers weren’t hurting the crew, but Şengün was perfect on three extra attempts in the restricted area.

At halftime, the Heat was up 53-50. They had 30 paint points, nine on the break, eight via second chances, 10 off turnovers and nine from the bench. 

The Rockets had 28 paint points, six on the break, seven via second chances, six off turnovers and 11 from the bench.

Subsequently, the Heat started the turd quarter, getting outscored 18-5 in five minutes. Jalen Green was also catching fire on scores from long and close range. But the flow of the match changed as soon as Herro connected on a corner triple supplied by Haywood Highsmith. The Heat ended the quarter making eight of 10 baskets on screen rolls and open jumpers. 

The fourth quarter began with the Heat down 82-81. It was a defensive struggle after four minutes when the Heat went down seven points. No team shot above 31.6%, yet the visitors were sharper to close, holding the Rockets to 11 connective misses and three baskets in the last 18 tries. 

Herro was the only Heatle to hit multiple shots in the frame, but Nikola Jović’s wing dagger over Thompson put the game out of reach. 

Next, Fred VanVleet got ejected while arguing over a five-second violation. Herro made the technical free throw, but while waiting for the ball to check in, he and Thompson got tangled up. Herro was thrown on the ground and bodies instantly came into the fray- Rozier went for Thompson in particular. 

It resulted in ejections for Herro, Rozier, Thompson, Green, Ime Udoka and Ben Sullivan.

The Heat won 104-100. They had 48 paint points, 14 on the break, 15 via second chances, 15 off turnovers and 31 from the bench. 

Herro scored 27 points on 10 of 17 attempts, with six rebounds, nine assists and three turnovers. 

Jović had 18 points on five of nine shots, with seven rebounds and six assists. 

And Highsmith had 15 points on 67% shooting, with eight rebounds, two assists, two steals, one block and a turnover. 

The Rockets had 44 paint points, 19 on the break, nine via second chances, 12 off turnovers and 18

from the bench. 

After the game, Adebayo said the team’s response to the dust-up was appropriate. “That’s what being in this locker room is about… one of us get in a scuffle, we all jump in.”

The Heat’s record is now 16-14.

Observations: 

• Kel’el Ware’s size was a problem for the Rockets. He scored on screen rolls with Herro and Jović. The Heat will need more of Ware’s vertical spacing when Adebayo rests.

• Jović had his top game of the season. He made three of five triples on the catch and dribble, plus maneuvered into the lane for two baskets. 

• It would be unjust if the NBA’s chief disciplinarian Joe Dumars suspended Herro. Getting dropped, cursing at an aggressor and waving goodbye to the crowd is not cause for it, but pretending to be in mixed martial arts is. 

• This is what getting a win out of the mud looks like. The team’s half-court offense was halted to 84.1 points per 100 possessions, good enough for the 18th percentile of all games played this season, per Cleaning the Glass. 

The Heat were saved by Tyler Herro and Alec Burks after being down 17 points, giving the Magic its third home loss of the season. The crew was outrebounded by nine and had 20 turnovers, but successful deep shooting from five players made up for it.

Jimmy Butler (return to competition conditioning) and Josh Richardson (right heel inflammation) were absent for the Heat. Paolo Banchero (oblique injury), Franz Wagner (oblique injury) and Mo Wagner (ACL tear) were unavailable for the Magic. 

Turnovers and being a step slow on defense put the Heat in a 14-point hole to start in the four minutes. Additionally, Jalen Suggs scored easily on screen rolls, and rookie Tristan da Silva logged seven points on the dribble and catch.

At one point, the Magic had them down 22-5, but Nikola Jović had the juice off the bench, making two treys and laying in a transition lob. The next high-scoring Heatle was Herro, also with eight.

Then they found a crack in the Magic’s armor. Five Heatles scored on an 18-9 run, briefly cutting the deficit to four points. But the hosts responded with an 8-1 run to close the half.

At halftime, the Heat was down 52-41. They had 18 paint points, eight on the break, three via second chances, 15 off turnovers and 21 from the bench.

The Magic had 28 paint points, eight on the break, nine via second chances, 15 off turnovers and six from the bench. Suggs was their high scorer with 18 points.

Next, the third quarter was a defensive showdown. The Heat mixed in more zone with man coverage, holding the Magic 35% shooting, including no triples and forced three turnovers in the period. The Magic countered by containing the Heat to five of 18 shots.

The fourth quarter started with the Heat down 71-61. Then 3-pointers from Burks, Rozier and Jaquez helped cut the deficit to a digit as Orlando called for a stoppage a few minutes in. One of the pivotal moments of this stretch was Jaime and Haywood Highsmith rushing back in transition to deny Cory Joseph at the cup. Then Burks nailed more jumpers at mid and long range, and Herro scored the final seven points to close, including the last shot from 18 feet away to win the game.

The Heat won 89-88. They had 24 paint points, 13 on the break, seven via second chances, 25 off turnovers and 41 from the bench.

Herro had 20 points on eight of 17 attempts, with three rebounds, two assists, one steal and six turnovers.

Burks had 17 points on 80% shooting, with six rebounds, three steals and a turnover.

Jaquez had 15 points on four of nine shots, with four rebounds, four assists, five steals, one block and three turnovers.

The Magic had 44 paint points, 18 on the break, 13 via second chances, 28 off turnovers and 12 from the bench.

After the game, coach Erik Spoelstra said, “This was a total throwback, ‘90s game… nobody was giving any inch of ground defensively. We were able to give [Herro] the ball, give him a little bit of space, and then he was able to take it to a spot and elevate.” He also added it was the team’s toughest win of the season.

Takeaways:

• This was one of Jaime’s top games of the season and his first recording at least five steals in his career. Three of his four baskets were 3-pointers, and he made 60% of those shots.

• More Herro heroics. Herro’s game-winning basket came with the Heat down a point after Goga Bitadze made a tip-in on the previous possession. Out of the Heat’s timeout, Herro caught the ball at the top of the key, dribbled down to the right side and made a jumper over Trevelin Queen.

• Burks recorded 24 minutes. His last game was on Dec. 2, playing nearly eight. The last time he got some real burn on the court before the win was on Nov. 14, in the victory over the Mavericks. Spoelstra should look to him sooner when a rotation is getting destroyed. Spoelstra also said postgame that Burks “doesn’t get sick at sea.”

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In today’s NBA, dominant big men are essential to championship contention. Teams like the Denver Nuggets and Milwaukee Bucks have proven the value of size and physicality in the paint. Meanwhile, the Miami Heat appear stuck in a state of indecision, hesitant to fully embrace the league’s modern realities. This reluctance has been epitomized by Erik Spoelstra’s puzzling decision not to start 7-foot rookie Kel’el Ware. The evidence in favor of Ware’s promotion to the starting lineup is overwhelming—and it is time for the Heat to act.

The Rebounding Crisis

One glaring issue for the Heat has been their inability to secure rebounds. Over the past three seasons, Miami has consistently ranked in the bottom half of the NBA in total rebounding percentage. The problem is not simply effort or scheme; it is structural. Bam Adebayo, an elite defender, often gets pulled away from the basket due to his ability to guard the perimeter. Opposing teams exploit this by drawing Adebayo out of the paint, creating opportunities for offensive rebounds and second-chance points.

This issue has been particularly damaging in the playoffs. During last year’s Eastern Conference Finals, the Boston Celtics capitalized on the Heat’s lack of size, averaging nearly 13 offensive rebounds per game. The problem was magnified in the NBA Finals against the Denver Nuggets, where Nikola Jokić and Aaron Gordon dominated the boards. Miami allowed a playoff-high 14.6 second-chance points per game during that series, a stat that directly contributed to the Nuggets clinching their first-ever NBA championship.

How Ware Fixes This Problem

Kel’el Ware is the kind of physical presence the Heat have been missing. Standing at 7 feet with a 7’5” wingspan, Ware brings elite rim protection and rebounding instincts. His size and length allow him to contest shots and secure rebounds, even against elite frontcourts. Ware’s performance in limited minutes this season already hints at his potential. In a recent game against the Orlando Magic, Ware posted a staggering +26 plus/minus in just 13 minutes, a clear indicator of his impact.

Had Ware played more minutes in that game, the Heat might have avoided the defensive lapses and rebounding deficiencies that cost them a late lead. His ability to hold his position in the paint and prevent second-chance opportunities is exactly what Miami needs.

Ware’s potential was also evident in the NBA Summer League, where he highlighted his abilities by averaging 16 points, 9 rebounds, and 2.5 blocks per game while shooting 55% from the field (Summer League stats).

Bam Adebayo’s Offensive Potential

Starting Ware would not just fix rebounding; it would also unlock Bam Adebayo’s offensive ceiling. Adebayo is at his best when he can utilize his mid-range jumper, passing skills, and face-up game. However, being the Heat’s primary center forces him to expend energy battling bigger players in the paint.

By moving Adebayo to power forward, he would face matchups more conducive to his skill set. He could operate in space, exploit mismatches, and serve as a secondary facilitator from the high post. This adjustment would give the Heat a more dynamic offense while preserving Adebayo’s energy for defensive assignments.

Lessons from the League’s Best

The success of teams with dominant big men underscores the importance of size. The Nuggets built their championship run around Jokić, whose size and skill allowed Denver to control the boards and dictate the pace of games. Similarly, the Bucks relied on Giannis Antetokounmpo’s presence in the paint to secure their 2021 title.

Even the Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers have embraced this philosophy. Boston’s addition of Kristaps Porzingis and Philadelphia’s reliance on Joel Embiid have kept them among the league’s elite. The Heat, by contrast, have stubbornly resisted this trend, sticking to small-ball lineups that leave them vulnerable against bigger, more physical teams.

Spoelstra’s Time to Adjust

Erik Spoelstra is widely regarded as one of the NBA’s top coaches, if not the best. But even great coaches need to adapt. The decision to limit Kel’el Ware’s minutes reflects a cautious approach that is not serving the Heat well. Spoelstra himself has acknowledged Ware’s potential, stating, “It is going to happen for him. You have the talent, work ethic and the commitment. You have to stay patient with it—not be happy about it—and then when you get your opportunities, you know what I say: ‘Make us watch you, then make us play you and then make us think twice about even thinking about not playing you.’”

The question is: What is the wait? Ware has already proven himself. The Heat are struggling in areas he can immediately improve, yet his opportunities remain limited. Spoelstra must recognize that the NBA’s landscape has shifted. Dominant big men are not a luxury—they are a necessity.

Conclusion

The Miami Heat can no longer afford to ignore the evidence. Their struggles with rebounding and second-chance points, particularly in the playoffs, demand a solution. Kel’el Ware is that solution. Starting Ware would shore up the team’s interior defense, elevate their rebounding, and unlock Bam Adebayo’s offensive potential.

If the Heat want to return to the NBA Finals and compete with the likes of the Nuggets, Bucks, and Celtics, they need to evolve. Starting Ware is not just a tactical adjustment—it is a necessary step toward reclaiming their place among the league’s elite.

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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander plus Jalen Williams took over on offense, and Isaiah Hartenstein was the most dominant big man on the floor, leading the Thunder to a dub at Kaseya Center.

In the first quarter, the Heat’s long-range bombs were missing, save for two, but Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo carried the offense with fastbreak scores and half-court paint attacks. The Thunder raised the intensity by 60° on defense, forcing three host turnovers that stalled the offense midway through the period. Butler twisted his left ankle, got checked out, but didn’t return because he was also bothered by an illness. The Sun Sentinel’s Ira Winderman reported that he asked trainer Armando Rivas for something before rolling his ankle.

For the Thunder, SGA made two jumpers on the dribble at long and mid-range, plus made a second-chance layup on his miss. His co-star, Williams, added a 3-pointer and ripped through the middle for a layup. The rest of the Thunder were still rolling, making six of 11 baskets.

Through 12 minutes, the Heat was down 25-30

Next, Nikola Jović was summoned, contributing seven points. Herro broke into the heart of OKC’s defense for two layups. And Terry Rozier blew past Williams for a scoop and nailed a 3-pointer.

Defensively, the crew made a stand, holding the visitors to 38% shooting in the second quarter. They also stayed in the 2-3 zone longer than usual, likely because of Butler’s absence.

At halftime, the Heat was down 47-50. They had 26 paint points, eight on the break, four on second chances, eight off turnovers and 21 from the bench. 

The Thunder had 20 paint points, six on the break, five via second chances, 12 off turnovers and 13 from the bench. 

Then Jaime Jaquez started the second half in Butler’s place. He accidentally elbowed Adebayo above the left eye while hunting for a defensive rebound. Adebayo left momentarily to get seven stitches and returned with four minutes left. He finished the period with a putback dunk. 

The Heat briefly took the lead on actions from Herro, Dru Smith and Haywood Highsmith. But the Thunder recovered it quickly as Williams dribbled to the elbow for a jumper, scored on the break and SGA made a quick 3-pointer after pickpocketing Dru Smith.  Coach Erik Spoelstra called a stoppage, but the zone and man coverage were no match for SGA, pulling up on the dribble from long and mid-range. He tore up the Heat for 13 points on five of 12 baskets in the period. 

The fourth quarter started with the Heat down 70-81. Williams burned the Heat with two more shots from mid-range, two up close and one from deep. And Hartenstein added six points and six rebounds. 

The Heat’s response- nine of 20 baskets from Adebayo, Herro, Smith and Duncan Robinson wasn’t enough to lift the squad out of the deficit. 

The Heat lost 97-104. They had 46 paint points, 10 on the break, 12 via second chances, 15 off turnovers and 36 from the bench. 

Herro had 28 points on 11 of 24 shots, with 12 rebounds, five assists and three steals.

Adebayo had 17 points on seven of 11 attempts, with 10 rebounds, one assist, one steal, one block and six turnovers.

And Dru Smith had 13 points on 83.3% shooting, with four assists, two steals, one block and three turnovers. 

The Thunder totaled 40 paint points, 13 on the break, 11 via second chances, 27 off turnovers and 17 from the bench. 

After the game, Spoelstra said SGA is a great player and that “you’re not going to hold a guy like that to 25 points, but you have to scramble around, hopefully keep their team average down. We did that for the most part but weren’t able to put points on the board.”

Observations:

1. Adebayo’s turnovers were caused by bad passes, getting stripped by SGA and traveling. The Heat had 18 in total. This was the third game with at least that many but the first loss.

2. Herro had double-digit rebounds for the second time this season. His other 10-rebound game was in the Heat’s win versus the Dallas Mavericks on Nov. 24.

3. The Thunder were 21-1 when taking a lead into the fourth quarter and are now 22-1. They were on the second night of a back-to-back, having beat the Orlando Magic on Thursday.

4. The Heat’s attack saw a ferocious set defense for 82.9% of the time.

5. Adebayo’s double-double moves him past Alonzo Mourning for second-most in Heat history with 206. Rony Seikaly is still first with 221.

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