Mateo’s Hoop Diary: Heat humiliated by the Jazz in the worst loss of the season

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The Heat were massacred by the Utah Jazz and mercy wasn’t even shown in the fourth quarter. Jimmy Butler was absent as he served the first night of his seven-game suspension, but he wouldn’t have prevented the Heat from getting smacked around on the glass 57-32. And Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo were no-shows.

 

“There wasn’t a whole lot we did well, or with purpose, or energy, or toughness tonight,” coach Erik Spoelstra said after the game.

 

Nikola Jović had a strong first quarter, hitting outside shots and scoring at the cup, and the Jazz missed their first eight of nine 3-point tries. Through 12 minutes, the game was tied at 22.

 

Then an avalanche started in the second quarter as Miami was outscored 40 to 19. The Jazz faced no resistance, scoring on 77% of attempts, while the Heat’s offense was impotent, making six of 20. Such a showing makes it hard to believe the Jazz had a 7-25 record before this game.

 

At halftime, the Heat was down 62-41. They had 24 paint points, 14 on the break, two via second chances and 10 off turnovers. Additionally, Adebayo missed all four attempts, and Herro was shut down to 33% shooting.

 

The Jazz had 36 paint points, four on the break, 11 via second chances and four off turnovers.

 

Then the Heat got smoked in the third quarter 36-25, but they had let go of the rope a few minutes in, when Keyonte George’s pull-up triple pushed the Jazz’s lead to 27 points. Not that it would’ve made much of a difference, but the hosts also missed six free throws in the period, proving how shell-shocked they were.

 

Utah didn’t take its foot off the gas in the fourth either, as the Heat’s background players took the floor. Brice Sensabaugh added 20 points, including five treys.

 

The Heat lost 136-100. It was the most points scored against them this season and the biggest margin of defeat. Before this game, the worst losses in margin were to Boston by 19 on Dec. 2, and by 19 to Orlando on Oct. 23.

 

After the game, Herro said, “We’re trying to put all that stuff past us, and worry about the guys in the locker room and the guys going out there on the court every night. Just trying to bring a collective spirit to rally around each other and help us win games.”

 

Observations:

 

  • Jović showing some moves on the break and making three of five triples is perhaps the Heat’s lone bright spot.

 

  • The team couldn’t stop John Collins’ rim attacks. And Lauri Markkanen’s length was difficult to maneuver around.

 

  • The Jazz burned the point of attack defense for 16 of 39 3-pointers.

 

  • The Jazz were the nastier team, outscoring the Heat in second chance points 21-6.

No Player Is Bigger than Team: Examining Jimmy Butler’s Fallout with Miami Heat

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In professional sports, no player, no matter how talented or iconic, is ever bigger than the organization. Legends like Michael Jordan, who ended his career with the Washington Wizards, and Joe Montana, who played for the Kansas City Chiefs after his glory years with the San Francisco 49ers, remind us that players come and go, but teams endure. This ethos is deeply ingrained in the Miami Heat’s culture under Pat Riley’s leadership, where team success always comes first.

Jimmy Butler’s five-year tenure with the Heat has been one of significant contributions and milestones. From leading Miami to two NBA Finals appearances to being the team’s emotional and competitive anchor, Butler has undoubtedly left his mark. But recent events have cast doubt on his future with the franchise.

 

Jimmy Butler’s six-year Miami Heat tenure:

  • 2X NBA Finals appearances
  •  ECF MVP 
  • 2X All-Star
  • 3X All-NBA
  •  1st in triple doubles in franchise history
  •  1st in 40+ point playoffs games
  • Most points in a playoff game in franchise history (56)

The Current Situation

Following a loss to the Indiana Pacers, Butler expressed frustration publicly, stating, “I want to see me get my joy back from playing basketball, wherever that may be.” These comments ignited a firestorm of speculation about his future with the Heat. Shortly after, the organization suspended Butler for seven games, citing “multiple instances of conduct detrimental to the team over the course of the season and particularly the last several weeks.”

While Butler has a reputation as one of the NBA’s fiercest competitors, his “my way or the highway” approach has a well-documented history of creating friction. Miami is now grappling with how to proceed, balancing the need to maintain team cohesion with the undeniable contributions Butler has made.

 

A Pattern of Fallouts

This isn’t the first time Butler has clashed with a franchise. His history of contentious departures is well-known:

  • Chicago Bulls: After emerging as a star in Chicago, Butler’s relationship with the Bulls deteriorated amid conflicts with teammates and concerns about his leadership style. The team eventually traded him to Minnesota in 2017.
  • Minnesota Timberwolves: Butler’s time in Minnesota was brief but explosive. During a now-infamous practice, Butler reportedly berated teammates and front office members, asserting dominance over younger players like Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins. His public demands for a trade led to a swift exit.
  • Philadelphia 76ers: After helping the Sixers to a deep playoff run, Butler reportedly clashed with head coach Brett Brown over his role in the offense. These internal tensions played a role in Butler leaving Philadelphia in free agency to join the Heat.

In Miami, Butler initially found a home that embraced his fiery personality and win-at-all-costs mentality. But as the pattern repeats, it’s clear that his approach often leads to friction when challenges arise. This scenario is no different as Jimmy has quit on not only management, but his teammates, and ultimately the fans.

Pat Riley’s History with Star Players

Pat Riley’s tenure with the Miami Heat has been marked by both success and hard decisions regarding superstar players.

  • Dwyane Wade: Despite being the franchise’s cornerstone, Wade experienced a fallout with Riley over contract disputes in 2016, leading to Wade’s departure to Chicago. Riley later admitted he mishandled the situation and welcomed Wade back in 2018 to finish his career in Miami.
  • Shaquille O’Neal: After helping the Heat win their first championship in 2006, O’Neal’s relationship with Riley and the organization soured due to clashes over effort and fitness. Riley traded Shaq to Phoenix in 2008 to move the team forward.
  • LeBron James: LeBron’s departure in 2014 was less contentious but highlighted Riley’s firm stance on team-first principles. LeBron reportedly clashed with Riley over his desire for more player-centric control of the organization.

Through these experiences, Riley has consistently prioritized the long-term health of the franchise, even at the expense of losing marquee players. Is Riley always in the right? No, yet the pattern is clear and has resulted in a historic winning franchise.

 

Did the Heat Miss Their Window?

Given Butler’s age (35) and the physical demands of his playing style, some argue that the Heat should have anticipated these issues and moved him during the summer of 2023, when his trade value was at an all-time high. Instead, the team doubled down, keeping an aging star on a hefty contract (one Butler didn’t believe was enough), a decision that may now limit their options.

Pat Riley, who has delivered three championships to Miami, has built a legacy on making tough but necessary decisions. Letting go of a star player is never easy, but Riley’s track record shows a commitment to the long-term health of the franchise over short-term gains.

 

Looking Ahead

The Miami Heat are at a crossroads. Moving Butler now would likely yield diminished returns compared to what could have been achieved a few months ago. However, the organization must prioritize team stability and future competitiveness.

A potential best-case scenario for the Heat, as outlined by Barry Jackson’s recent tweets, could involve rebuilding trust with Butler through internal discussions while actively exploring trade options behind the scenes. The Heat might package Butler with young assets to acquire a younger star or high draft picks, ensuring the team remains competitive in the future. Another avenue could see Butler returning to the court after suspension with renewed focus, using the remainder of the season to prove his value, thereby maximizing his trade stock in the offseason.

Conclusion

Jimmy Butler’s time with the Miami Heat has been a rollercoaster of highs and lows. His contributions are undeniable, but so too is the reality that no player is bigger than the team. As the Heat navigate this difficult situation, Pat Riley’s guiding philosophy—putting the organization above all else—will ultimately determine the path forward.

 

****

Austin Dobbins can be found at @AustinD1316

Use the code 5RSN at BettorEdge.com for $20 to gamble legally in Florida and 44 other states

Mateo’s Hoop Diary: The Heat couldn’t slow down the Pacers, losing sixth game at home this season

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The Heat got embarrassed by the Pacers in one of their worst defensive showings of the season. The visitors feasted in the half-court plus transition. Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro combined for 14 of 24 baskets, but it didn’t make a dent. And Jimmy Butler saved himself for the next team.

 

The Pacers went on a 12-2 run, supplied by Tyrese Haliburton, Pascal Siakam and Andrew Nembhard, forcing the Heat’s first timeout. This spurt also included Myles Turner denying Butler twice- once on a drive and another breaking up a lob.

 

The team responded with baskets from Adebayo, Terry Rozier and Kel’el Ware, but the Pacers kept rolling behind Haliburton, scoring and setting up others. It was the second-most points by a Heat opponent through the first quarter all season.

 

In the second quarter, Herro and Adebayo were the only Heatles to make multiple shots. On the other side, Pascal Siakam successfully posted up, drove into the lane and finished a lob on the break; and Turner added nine points.

 

At halftime, the Heat was down 66-50. The team had 22 paint points, seven on the break, four via second chances, seven off turnovers and 20 from the bench. 


Butler only logged one of two shots and mostly looked to pass even when he had opportunities to go to the body.

 

The Pacers had 32 paint points, 11 on the break, five via second chances, eight off turnovers and 22 from the bench. 


Subsequently, Duncan Robinson connected on two triples early in the third, but it was quickly negated by six quick points by Turner. Haliburton also hit two mid-range jumpers on the dribble and with under two minutes left, Indiana’s lead starched to 28.

 

The Heat’s effort was better in the fourth, but the Pacers only needed to produce 30.8% of shots to separate themselves to the finish line.

 

The Heat lost 128-115. The team had 56 paint points, 12 on the break, nine via second chances, nine off turnovers and 57 from the bench.

 

Butler played 26 minutes, recording nine points on three of six shots, with two rebounds, four assists, two steals and a turnover.

 

Adebayo had 20 points on 66.7% shooting, with eight rebounds, two assists, one steal and one turnover.

 

Herro had 17 points on 50% shooting, with three rebounds, three assists and three turnovers.

 

And Ware put up 25 points off the bench on nine of 11 attempts, with one assist, one steal, three blocks and one turnover.

 

The Pacers had 58 paint points, 19 on the break, 11 via second chances, 23 off turnovers and 38 from the bench.

 

After the game, Butler said, “I felt great. I felt like I was focused. I feel like I did my job, or at least what my job is now.

 

He also added, “I want to see me get my joy back from playing basketball, wherever that may be we’ll find out pretty soon.”

 

When asked if he could get his joy back with the Heat, he said “probably not.”.

 

Observations:

 

  • This was Ware’s best game as a pro. He continues to look good on rim rolls and splashed a few triples.

 

  • Coach Erik Spoelstra was so desperate he brought in Keshad Johnson, who has only logged 14 minutes this season.


    .

  • This was the fourth-worst field goal percentage (53.1) and second-most points given up all season.

 

  • The Heat’s lead lasted 62 seconds, and they trailed the rest of the way.

 

 

Why Miami should extend Jimmy Butler

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There’s a saying out there: “relationships matter.” In a league where perception can be everything, how a franchise treats its stars can define its legacy just as much as wins and losses. For the Miami Heat, the time has come to make a decision about Jimmy Butler, a player who has carried this franchise to heights it had no business reaching. 

Yes, Butler is 35. Yes, his basketball career has more years behind it than it does ahead of it. Thing is, the same can be said for Pat Riley, Micky Arison, and some of the other more tenured members of the Miami Heat basketball operations. The question now is: will Miami do right by Jimmy Butler, not just for him, but for the future of this franchise? 

 

A History of Complicated Endings 

Miami’s history with star players hasn’t always been smooth. 

  • Alonzo Mourning left for New Jersey when Miami didn’t meet his terms. Zo returned, of course, to win a championship in 2006, but there was a time when the separation seemed permanent. He is now part of the Heat’s front office, but that fracture required healing. 
  • Shaquille O’Neal, Miami’s first true mega-star who delivered his promise of bringing the city its first NBA championship, almost came to blows with Pat Riley and eventually saw his tenure end in turmoil when he was traded to Phoenix. 
  • LeBron James? Probably the most publicized breakup in NBA history. LeBron’s return to Cleveland left a sour taste, with tensions flaring on both sides to the point that Miami just now, 10 years after LeBron left, signed a Klutch Sports client in Alec Burks. 
  • And then there’s Dwyane Wade, the icon who should have never worn another jersey. That hurt lingers, even after his triumphant return to finish his career where it started. 

For a franchise that prides itself on loyalty and culture, these separations have often sent the wrong message to the league. They’ve been loyal with several of their role players, who eventually returned to become assistant coaches or vital parts of the organization. How come when it comes to some of their biggest stars, things go down a different path? The lesson? Relationships matter, and how you handle a star’s twilight years reverberates beyond one player. 

 

 

Jimmy Butler’s Legacy 

Jimmy Butler isn’t just some fringe star. He’s been the heart and soul of Miami’s resurgence. This is a player who, in his tenure, has dragged an overachieving team to two NBA Finals, once as a 5-seed and once as an 8-seed. He’s also delivered countless unforgettable and historic

playoff performances while making this organization relevant again. He’s done this without a “superstar” co-star, with rosters that have been patched together through development and grit. No excuses. No shortcuts. Just Jimmy being Jimmy. 

And now, Butler has made his desires clear: he wants to remain in Miami and finish his career here…as long as he is paid his worth and to have the chance to compete at the highest level. 

Should Miami give Butler the two-year max extension he’s reportedly seeking? Maybe not. But something close—like a 3-year, $135 million deal—feels like the right balance between honoring his contributions and keeping flexibility towards surrounding him with the pieces needed that’ll push them over the mountaintop. 

The NBA is watching. Stars across the league notice how organizations treat their players. Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro, Miami’s future pillars, are watching too. If Miami mishandles this situation, it sends a message about what they value and how they operate. 

Pat Riley, the architect of this dynasty, is 79. The “Godfather” deserves to go out with one last championship run. Jimmy Butler gives him that chance. 

Riley’s style has never been universally loved. He’s relentless, sometimes abrasive, and always demanding. But it works. 

His regrets? He’d never admit to them, but the way things ended with Wade probably tops the list. 

That is why they need to capitalize and understand that this could be Riley’s last shot to secure Miami’s fourth title, and Butler is the player to build around. Extend him, surround him with the right pieces, and let him lead Miami into the sunset of Riley’s career. 

Extending him reinforces the belief that this organization not only rewards those who give everything for the cause. It also proves to many that are watching that they’re going all in. 

Pay Jimmy Butler. The league is watching. Your future is watching.

*******

Geo Valdez can be found at @GeoValdez_ on Twitter and @CoachGeo_ on Instagram.

He is the founder of Transfiguration Fitness, a premier fitness and wellness brand specializing in personalized training, nutrition assistance and performance coaching.

Learn more at www.coachgeo.training

2024-25 Florida Panthers Midseason Superlatives

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2024 was the Year of the Panther, well, at least if you were an NHL fan. Players, staff and fans will never forget the year in which the club won its first Stanley Cup in franchise history. 

 

As the calendars change, Panthers fans will hope the new year brings plenty of fortune their way as the team looks to defend its title as champions of the hockey world. 

 

Reflection on the previous year and season would be fun to circle back to, but the Panthers already have plenty of positives to hang high on through 38 games of the 2024-25 season. 

 

Before the new year comes, here are a few of my 2024-25 midseason superlatives for the Florida Panthers. 

MVP – Sam Reinhart

The Panthers are fortunate to have multiple elite level players on its roster. Aleksander Barkov is a top ten player in the league, and the best two-way forward in the game, Matthew Tkachuk is a star player and Gustav Forsling has solidified himself as a No. 1 defenseman. 

 

Amongst all the talent in Sunrise, Sam Reinhart sits atop the pack for most valuable player on my midseason awards.

 

Fresh off a 57-goal campaign in the 2023-24 season, which was capped off with the game winning goal in the Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final, Reinhart hasn’t slowed down this season. 

 

Through 38 games, Reinhart is tied for fifth in the NHL with 22 goals and leads the Panthers with 45 points (22-23-45).

 

While his offensive numbers are great again this season, the 29-year-old’s impact on the ice stretches well beyond the offensive zone. 

 

Reinhart, who finished fourth last year in Selke voting, has shouldered a lot of defensive responsibility for the Panthers, especially when the team was without captain Aleksander Barkov — the 2023-24 Selke winner — for 10 games this season. 

 

Panthers head coach Paul Maurice utilizes the star forward in pretty much every situation possible. Off the bat, he’s the team’s biggest scoring threat on the man-advantage, leading the team with seven power play goals. Reinhart is also on the top penalty kill unit, where he has found the back of the net a league-high four times while short handed. 

 

Whether he is paired alongside Barkov — forming the league’s best two-way forward duo — or dropping down the lineup to play with Anton Lundell and Eetu Luostarinen, Reinhart has been the top guy for the Panthers this season.

 

Best/Most Surprising Addition(s) — AJ Greer & Jesper Boqvist

Panthers general manager Bill Zito was able to retain most of the core who won the Stanley Cup in South Florida. The biggest area he needed to retool over the offseason was within the fourth line. 

 

After losing Ryan Lomberg, Kevin Stenlund, Steven Lorentz, Nick Cousins, and Kyle Okposo, the Panthers had limited cap space to rebuild a championship winning bottom line. 

 

Spoiler alert, he did.

 

The signing of 6’3 winger AJ Greer was a low-cost, high-reward deal, with his contract carrying just a $850k AAV over a two year period. 

 

Early into his Panther career Greer has already surpassed my expectations. The 28-year-old has injected much needed juice into the Panthers lineup with his physicality, which appears to be a prerequisite if you’re a consistent depth player on the Panthers, but that wasn’t much of a shock considering his build and career up to this point. 

 

What has surprised me is Greer’s offensive upside. For starters, he is seventh on the team in scoring chances for with 46 and sixth in high danger scoring chances at 5-on-5, according to Natural Stat Trick. To put that in perspective, he’s ahead of Matthew Tkachuk — who is second on the team in scoring — in both categories.

 

Appearing in all 38 games this year, Greer has four goals and nine points (4-5-9) on the season.

 

I wanted to keep these rankings to one player in each category, but it’s hard to speak about top additions and not mention Jesper Boqvist. 

 

The 26-year-old forward certainly had to earn his spot on the roster out of camp, but after cracking the main roster, he continues to earn the trust of the coaching staff.

 

Through 35 games, Boqvist has 13 points (7-6-13) and like Greer, has been given additional responsibilities as an occasional penalty killer.  

 

Both Boqvist and Greer have outplayed their initial fourth-line roles, finding themselves moving up the lineup when the team is looking to switch things up, or wanting to rely on a hot hand — which the two have often been.

 

Honorable Mention – Nate Schmidt

 

Most Improved Player — Mackie Samoskevich

The Panthers certainly have high hopes for their former first-round pick Mackie Samoskevich. 

Last season, Samoskevich made the NHL roster out of training camp in his first year after turning pro. Then 21, Samoskevich played in seven games with the Panthers, while spending most of the season in the AHL with the Charlotte Checkers, where he lead the team in scoring with 54 points (22-32-54).  

 

During his brief stint with the Panthers last season, Samoskevich showed flashes off his offensive skill, but the kid needed some time to learn how to play a 200-foot pro game.

 

After once again making the team this season, the now 22-year-old has shown massive improvements to his game on both sides of the puck. 

 

The NHL game is coming a lot easier to Samoskevich after a full year in the AHL. His situational awareness is at a high level and his play away from the puck look night and day to what it was last year.

 

Offensively, Samoskevich is finally showing why the Panthers took him with their top pick in 2021. 

 

Through 33 games, he’s tallied 7 goals and 12 points (7-5-12), while playing most of his minutes on the Panthers’ bottom six. 

 

Samoskevich would certainly find himself playing more minutes if he was on a non-contending team, and his numbers would likely be a bit higher, but I think that’s a decent trade off when you’re a relied upon player on the defending Stanley Cup champions. 

 

Honorable Mention – Uvis Balinskis

 

Player Looking For More in 2025 — Carter Verhaeghe

Given his track record, specifically come playoff time, I’ll start by saying I am not worried too much about Carter Verhaghe’s decline in offense, but he’s certainly going to be gripping his stick a little harder if the pucks don’t start to find the back of the net. 

 

Verhaeghe scored 34 goals in 76 games last season and 42 the year before. So it’s not alarming to note that he’s sitting on nin goals through 38 games this season, while also being a -20 on the year.

 

His dip in offensive production is noticeable, but it’s not for a lack of trying.

 

The 29-year-old leads the team in boh scoring chances for (80) and high danger chances for (30) at 5-on-5, while his power play numbers for both of those categories are also near the top of the list, according to  Natural Stat Trick. 

 

Florida has plenty of offensive talent to spread across the ice, but they, and Verhaeghe, will want to see those numbers jump up as we hit the second half of the season. 

 

Not So Hidden. Hidden Gem — Sam Bennett

If you watch Panthers hockey, you know how important Sam Bennett is to the identity of the Florida Panthers. 

 

He plays a hard, fast, nasty game and it’s exactly what the Panthers’ game thrives off. 

 

Bennett has been the team’s energizer bunny for the past few seasons and it only elevated when he was reunited with Matthew Tkachuk two years ago in Sunrise.

 

After playing a big role in the Panthers’ Cup win, Bennett stormed out of the gates with the best start to the season in year 10 of his NHL career. 

 

The hot start was enough for Bennett to crack Team Canada’s stacked roster for the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off, where he’ll join teammate Sam Reinhart in representing the Great White North.

 

His production has slowed down over the past few games, largely because he was battling an illness, which he just recently recovered from. Still, his 13 goals and 27 points (13-14-27) through 36 games isn’t anything to slouch over, especially with his style of play.

 

Fan Choice MVP — Sam Reinhart

Look at that, my MVP and Panthers fans’ MVP (according to my Twitter survey) align. 

 

By an overwhelming majority, the loyal fans of South Florida’s team recognized Sam Reinhart’s impact on the ice this season and have voted him as their ‘Fan Choice MVP’.

 

You guys know puck. Happy New Year!

Mateo’s Hoop Diary: The Heat left Houston with a win following a scuffle and a big night from Tyler Herro

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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. 

 

Backup quarterback Tyler Huntley led the Dolphins to a win needed to keep their playoff hopes alive.

Pressure Point: Tyler Huntley’s inspired effort helps Dolphins keep playoff hopes alive

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No Tua Tagovailoa with Dolphins’ playoff hopes on the line?

No problem with Tyler Huntley showing what he can do with enough time under his belt to learn Mike McDaniel’s offense.

The South Florida native threw for 225 yards and a touchdown, and ran for 52 yards including a 13-yard touchdown Sunday in a must-have 20-3 win at Cleveland to keep the Dolphins in the playoff hunt with a week to go in the season.

The topic of the coming week will be about the severity of Tagovailoa’s hip injury and whether he will be able to play on Sunday (4:25 p.m.) against the Jets and/or in the playoffs, if the Dolphins get there.

The injury is to the same hip that was surgically repaired in his final collegiate season at Alabama, though reportedly in a different spot.

He injured it two weeks ago in a loss at Houston and aggravated the problem in last week’s win against the 49ers. He was listed as questionable this past week before being downgraded to doubtful on Saturday and then ruled out before the game at Cleveland.

McDaniel’s remarks following the game about Tagovailoa’s injury did not sound encouraging: “Ultimately, he absolutely wanted to play. Wasn’t a pain tolerance thing. He not only was super susceptible to a much more significant injury, but a major factor was the lack of strength due to the injury and his inability to protect himself … From a medical perspective, it was not an option for him to play.”

Fins’ playoff formula: Beat Jets, Chiefs beat Broncos

Huntley stepped in and delivered a standout performance as a stand-in that was lacking early in the season when Tua missed four games due to a concussion.

The win over the now 3-13 Browns drew Miami back to .500 at 8-8 for the first time since a 2-6 start.

It means the Dolphins can grab the last AFC playoff spot with a win on the road against the 4-12 Jets and a loss by the Denver Broncos at home against Kansas City.

Working against the Dolphins is that the 15-1 Chiefs have sewn up home-field advantage through the playoffs and have no incentive to use quarterback Patrick Mahomes and other starters in the regular-season finale. They won’t be saying, “We’ve got to help the Dolphins.”

The way Huntley played Sunday builds confidence he can handle the assignment against the moribund Jets, if needed. He completed 22 of 26 passes with a passer rating of 115.5 and showed an added dimension of mobility that Tagovailoa lacks.

It was an altogether different showing than in three appearances in September and October after he was claimed off the Baltimore Ravens’ practice squad.

Huntley settles in to Dolphins’ offense

Huntley was rushed into action almost immediately when Skylar Thompson was injured in his first start after Tua went down. Thrown to the wolves was more like it.

Trying to execute a complex offense after only a few days to study it is like being pulled off the street and expected to work as a translator at the United Nations.

“A couple weeks in the office definitely makes a difference,” Huntley said after the game.

The Dolphins said this past week that they want Huntley to return next season to compete for the backup job. What he showed Sunday should improve his bargaining position.

Huntley connected with star wide receiver Tyreek Hill on 9 of 9 targets for 105 yards. His 7-yard touchdown pass to Jonnu Smith in the fourth quarter sealed the win. It was Smith’s seventh touchdown reception of the season, tying a Dolphins record by a tight end.

Huntley also had a nifty 13-yard run along the sideline for a touchdown that pushed the Dolphins’ lead to 13-3.

Considering the hole they dug for themselves early in the season, it’s a wonder the Dolphins are still alive in the playoff chase.

Their chances have improved significantly over the past two weeks. They got every pregame break from outside sources they could have hoped for with the Broncos losing to the Bengals in OT on Saturday and the Colts stumbling against the lowly Giants in an early game Sunday.

That loss dealt the Colts out of the playoff picture. The Bengals remain alive at 8-8, but the Dolphins would win a tiebreaker over Cincinnati based on best win percentage in conference games.

Dolphins’ running game stymied again

Another break for the Dolphins came with unseasonable weather for Cleveland for late December. Temperature was in the 50s when the game began.

They also got to face a struggling Browns team down to its third quarterback with Dorian Thompson-Robinson.

This game was not as one-sided as the score suggests. It looked very much like two teams playing out the season.

The difference was the quarterback play. Thompson-Robinson, at this point in his career, is not a competent NFL quarterback.

The Browns were the stronger team at the line of scrimmage. They sacked Huntley four times and pressured him often. They recorded 12 tackles for loss.

Cleveland completely shut down the Miami running game. Huntley had 52 yards on seven runs out of the pocket. Other Dolphins ball carriers netted 22 yards on 20 attempts.

The Dolphins were 2 of 11 on third down. McDaniel showed no confidence in a straight-ahead run on fourth-and-one in the third quarter. Instead he called a pitchout to De’Von Achane, and he was tossed for a loss of 2.

Miami also committed 11 penalties for 94 yards.

In one embarrassing sequence in the first half, the Dolphins got an interception by Tyrel Dodson at midfield. They ended up punting from their own 26.

The retreat began with a personal foul on Dodson for removing his helmet on the field. A holding penalty on Terron Armstead, Miami’s best lineman, and a sack of Huntley led to a third-and-27.

Soon after, Armstead left with a knee injury and didn’t return. It could be the end for the five-time Pro Bowl left tackle in a Dolphins uniform.

Dolphins may have found backup QB

There was a bizarre moment late in the third quarter when McDaniel threw the challenge flag twice in a span of three plays. He lost both bids to have calls overturned.

By any subjective assessment, the Dolphins did not play or behave like a playoff contender Sunday. They haven’t all season.

And yet, here they are, with a probability of making the playoffs now at 33.6 percent, according to ESPN — NFL.com has it at 31 percent.

“What I’ve seen is guys not blinking every time things don’t go any way they hoped,” McDaniel said in his postgame presser. “As a result, we’re staring at another playoff game against the Jets.”

And then what?

Their quarterback was deemed too injured to play in a must-win game Sunday. Can they even count on Tua in the week or weeks ahead?

It is such a classic Dolphins situation. Keep in mind that they had to start backup quarterbacks in two of their past three playoff appearances (2016 season vs. the Steelers, 2022 against the Bills).

They are like a race car running the final lap on fumes and overextended tires. Still rolling. Destination unknown.

At least they may have found a viable backup quarterback.

Craig Davis has covered South Florida sports and teams, including the Dolphins, for more than four decades. Follow him on the site formerly known as Twitter @CraigDavisRuns.

The Trade Target the Heat Should Pursue: De’Aaron Fox

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The Miami Heat are no strangers to the NBA rumor mill, often tied to big-name free agents or trade targets. Yet, recent years have seen them fail to land game-changing talent. With limited assets compared to other contenders, the Heat must find creative ways to reshape their roster. Enter De’Aaron Fox, the Sacramento Kings’ explosive point guard, who could transform Miami’s backcourt into one of the best in the league.

Why Fox Is a Perfect Fit for Miami

De’Aaron Fox is among the fastest players in the NBA and excels in both transition and half-court settings. Fox is averaging 26.2 points, 6.1 assists,1.6 steals and 5.0 rebounds while shooting 48.2% from the field. His ability to attack the rim, create for teammates, and defend opposing guards makes him a seamless fit for Miami’s culture of toughness and versatility.

Pairing Fox with Tyler Herro would create a dynamic backcourt capable of rivaling the league’s elite tandems, such as:

  • Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving (Dallas Mavericks)
  • Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland (Cleveland Cavaliers)
  • Devin Booker and Bradley Beal (Phoenix Suns)
  • Derrick White and Jaylen Brown (Boston Celtics)

Fox’s speed and playmaking would complement Herro’s elite shooting and scoring ability, forcing defenses to pick their poison. Defensively, Fox’s quickness would add much-needed pressure on the perimeter, helping Bam Adebayo anchor the paint.

 

The Kings’ Turmoil: Why Fox Might Be Available

The Kings recently fired head coach Mike Brown following a disappointing start to the season. With Sacramento struggling to gain traction in the Western Conference, rumors suggest the franchise could pivot toward a rebuild, making Fox’s contract expendable. The Heat should pounce on this opportunity, using their young assets and draft picks to bring Fox to South Beach.

 

Fox and Bam: A Kentucky Connection

Fox and Bam Adebayo share a strong bond dating back to their days at the University of Kentucky. This pre-existing chemistry could accelerate Fox’s integration into Miami’s system, especially under the Heat’s renowned development program. Both players bring elite athleticism and a desire to win, aligning perfectly with Miami’s culture.

 

What Would a Fox Trade Look Like?

The Heat are adamant about keeping Tyler Herro and their core of Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo intact. A realistic package for Fox could include:

  • Miami Heat Receive: De’Aaron Fox
  • Sacramento Kings Receive: Jaime Jaquez Jr., Nikola Jović, Duncan Robinson, and three future first-round picks

This trade gives the Kings a mix of young talent and draft capital to kickstart a rebuild while Miami gets the dynamic playmaker they need.

 

Who is Untouchable? The Heat have been hesitant to make any moves, making it hard to judge who they consider untouchable. Herro and Bam are the clear members and despite Pat Riley making it clear about Jimmy, we could still see him moved.

This could be a way for Miami to move Jimmy, meaning a trade for Fox could include a third team.

 

Could Miami Keep Jimmy, Bam, Herro, and Fox?

It is possible, though it would require maneuvering around the salary cap and convincing Sacramento to prioritize future assets over immediate contributors. Keeping all four players would instantly shoot Miami to the top of the food chain, with a lineup that combines scoring, defense, and playmaking at every position.

 

How the Heat Stack Up

Adding Fox would instantly elevate Miami’s backcourt to elite status. Alongside Herro’s 23.8 points per game, Bam’s elite defense, and Butler’s clutch performances, the Heat would match up with any team in the league. Fox’s knack for breaking down defenses would also open opportunities for Miami’s shooters, making their offense far more potent.

 

A Move for Debate

While Fox seems like a dream acquisition, the Heat would need to deplete their limited assets to make it happen. Critics might argue that Miami should focus on building depth instead of consolidating star power. However, in a league dominated by superstar duos and trios, the landing of Fox could be the move that finally pushes the Heat over the top, with or without Jimmy Butler.

If the Heat are to move Jimmy, Fox, Herro, and Bam would still be a big three capable of competing for an NBA championship (with adequate depth).

Is this the right gamble for the Heat or is it just one of the many stars tied to South Beach?

 

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Mateo’s Hoop Diary: Heat folded late in Atlanta

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A masterful second half by Tyler Herro wasn’t enough to lift the Heat out of danger. Trae Young and Jalen Johnson went wild against the defense, and the hosts closed the game on a gut-punching 14-5 run.

 

The Hawks had 35 opening points, including scores on three backdoor cuts. Herro, Bam Adebayo and Haywood Highsmith countered with baskets from long and close range. 

 

Then Duncan Robinson, Alec Burks and Herro poured in five treys. And Adebayo and Highsmith scored at the rim. The defense forced five turnovers but couldn’t stop Zaccharie Risacher and Johnson from making six shots in the lane.

 

At halftime, the Heat was down 61-58. The team had 26 paint points, eight on the break, seven via second chances, 10 off turnovers and 15 from the bench. 

 

The Hawks had 36 paint points, seven on the break, seven via second chances, nine off turnovers and 27 from the bench.  Infamous Heat killer Garrison Mathews also sent his regards with 10 on three of six shots off Atlanta’s bench, and De’Andre Hunter also had 10.

 

Next, Herro scored 11 points at the line, attacking on the break, Euro-stepping into the lane and nailing a deep triple. Highsmith and Jaime Jaquez Jr. chipped in multiple baskets apiece, but aside from them, the crew made three of 12 shots. 

 

For the Hawks, Johnson dribbled and cut his way into the lane for three baskets. Hunter added three of four makes. And Mathews downed two more treys. 

 

The fourth quarter started with the Heat down 93-84. They got within a point after Herro hit a pull-up triple with four minutes left. To that moment, the crew had made seven of 13 baskets in the period. 

 

Subsequently, Atlanta went on a 14-5 run, which was supplied by Hunter, Mathews, Johnson and Young to close the game. 

 

The Heat lost 120-110. The team had 50 paint points, 17 on the break, 12 via second chances, 17 off turnovers and 27 from the bench. 

 

Herro had 28 points on eight of 15 shots, with seven rebounds, 10 assists and two turnovers. 

 

Adebayo put up 17 points on 47.1% shooting, with 10 rebounds, two assists, one steal, two blocks and two turnovers.

 

And Highsmith had 14 points on six of eight attempts, with six rebounds, two assists and a turnover. 

 

The Hawks had 56 paint points, 17 on the break, nine via second chances, 12 off turnovers and 59 from the bench. Hunter had 26 off the bench. 

 

After the game, coach Erik Spoelstra said, “We had some plays where we got them to the last five seconds of the clock and just could not finish… and on the other end, we came up empty.”

Observations:

  • Spoelstra rested Herro four minutes to start the fourth, which was a bit too long because he was the team’s main source of offense. He played slightly below 36 minutes. There is nothing wrong with the star breaking 40 every once in a while.

 

  • This was Highsmith’s fourth night of the season making at least six shots.

 

  • The Heat converted 17 of 25 shots in the restricted area and 47.1% in the paint non-restricted area, finishing slightly above average efficiency in both spots.

 

  • The half-court offense generated 97.5 points per 100 plays, good enough for the 53rd percentile of the stat in all games played this season, per Cleaning the Glass.

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Mateo’s Hoop Diary: Heat escape Orlando after a big fourth quarter from Tyler Herro and Alec Burks

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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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