David Ramiland Wes Goldberg here, the hosts of the daily Locked On Heat podcast, with your daily Locked On Heat newsletter. Each day we bring you the biggest stories about the Heat and the NBA, including the hottest links to other stories you need to read. Plus, Josh Lloyd delivers daily fantasy notes to crush your league.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Oct 15, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro (14) looks on against the San Antonio Spurs during the second quarter at Kaseya Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images | Sam Navarro/Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Happy Thanksgiving! It goes without saying that we’re thankful for all of you, our listeners and newsletter members.
We’re also grateful for what has already turned out to be an eventful Miami Heat season.
At Locked On Heat, we are working hard to create daily podcasts and supplemental content for our audience.
Through newsletters, our Locked On Heat Insider community (free for 14 days, $4.99/month after that), an engaged YouTube community and our various social media avenues, we truly are striving to be your team, every day.
So thanks to everybody who makes Locked On Heat your first listen, read, scroll, whatever. We know you have a ton of options for content these days and we are truly grateful every time you choose us.
Happy holidays,
Wes Goldberg and David Ramil
Miami Heat’s Narrow Escape: A Thanksgiving Eve Thriller
In a game that had Miami Heat fans on the edge of their seats, the Heat managed to pull off a narrow victory against the Charlotte Hornets, thanks to some late-game heroics from Tyler Herro. Despite letting a 20-point lead slip away, Miami rallied in the final moments to secure a 98-94 win. This episode of Locked on Heat breaks down the thrilling encounter and what it means for the team moving forward.
Game Recap: A Tale of Two Halves
The Heat started strong, building a significant lead early on. However, the absence of Jimmy Butler in the fourth quarter due to back issues allowed the Hornets to claw their way back into the game. With the Heat on the second night of a back-to-back, it was up to Duncan Robinson and Tyler Herro to lead the charge. Herro’s clutch three-pointer and a crucial steal in the final 30 seconds were pivotal in sealing the victory for Miami.
Player Highlights: Herro and Robinson Shine
Tyler Herro was the standout performer, scoring 27 points and making key adjustments to his shooting technique that paid off in the clutch moments. Duncan Robinson also played a crucial role, contributing 22 points and showcasing his prowess from beyond the arc. Their performances were instrumental in Miami’s win, earning them the majority of the “credit cookies” in this episode’s tastiest segment.
Challenges and Observations
Despite the win, the game highlighted some ongoing challenges for the Heat. Bam Adebayo’s offensive struggles were evident, as he failed to capitalize on opportunities against a shorthanded Charlotte team. The discussion raised questions about whether his issues are mental or if there’s a physical aspect at play. The episode also touched on the potential for Khalil Ware to see more playing time, especially in light of Kevin Love’s absence.
Looking Ahead: Thanksgiving and Beyond
As the Heat sit at an 8-8 record, the hosts reflect on the team’s performance so far this season. While the team has shown flashes of brilliance, consistency remains a concern. The upcoming games will be crucial in determining whether Miami can solidify its position in the Eastern Conference standings.
Giving thanks for a better-than-expected rookie class
Happy Thanksgiving! To give you something to talk about with your undoubtedly NBA-fluent families and friends, here are some rookie rankings to chew over.
1. Jared McCain, Philadelphia 76ers
Over his last ten games, McCain has averaged 23 points per game (top 25 in the league in that span) on solid efficiency, including 39% from deep on crazy volume. Philly hasn’t had much to cheer about this season, but McCain’s surprising on-ball creation and superb off-ball movement have Philly fans seeing a future star (wait, maybe that’s just their court). I’m obsessed with this little moonwalk he uses to shake OG Anunoby juuuust enough to bury a shuriken in his eye:
McCain moonwalks into a three over OG Anunoby
McCain likely won’t score like this when the team’s fully healthy (and he’s cooled off the last two games), but the fact that he can is a great sign for the team’s present and future.
2. Stephon Castle, San Antonio Spurs
Castle has risen to second place thanks to an excellent recent stretch. Since becoming a starter, Castle’s averaged 15 points, three boards, and five assists while playing ferocious defense.
Castle is incredibly versatile. At nearly 6’6” pre-shoes and pre-hair, he has the size and speed to fill any number of roles. As I wrote about at length here, he’s quickly becoming the perfect amorphous fit next to Victor Wembanyama.
Although his three-point accuracy is still developing, Castle’s confidence in his shot is the skeleton key that unlocks the rest of his offensive game. And the more effective he is on offense, the more opportunity he’s given to create absolute havoc on defense.
I’m particularly intrigued by his ability to be a faux-big man in the screen and roll:
Mike Shearer (@bballispoetry) has written about the NBA full-time since 2021 at various and sundry places. For more from Mike, check out his Substack bestseller, Basketball Poetry, where he uses unnecessary metaphors and the occasional haiku to discuss the NBA’s happenings with an analytical lens.
Home and Away
Milestone 10,000. Thank you for being one of the first 10,000 readers across our Locked On newsletters. And, we’d be extra thankful if you forwarded this newsletter to a friend to help us reach more fans who cannot get enough of their favorite team.
Fans The Miami Heat Thanksgiving roundtable brings fans together to share their favorite Heat-themed holiday dishes and memories. It’s a delightful mix of community spirit and team pride. (All U Can Heat)
Ranking The latest NBA rookie rankings highlight the Miami Heat’s frustrating decision regarding Kel’el Ware, reflecting on the impact of this choice on the team’s current performance. (Sports Illustrated)
Must Read LaMelo’s proclivity for fouls, how many wins Philadelphia needs for the play-in, examining OKC’s defense, and more. (ESPN+)
Feel Good The Pistons’ willingness to spend, the Nets’ and Lakers’ new coach, and more things for each NBA team to be thankful for. (CBS Sports)
Analysis A roundtable of experts discusses the league’s biggest storylines after the first month of the season. (Fansided)
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
In case you missed it...
Nov 26, 2024; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Jazz forward/center Lauri Markkanen (23) on the floor after a collision with San Antonio Spurs forward/center Victor Wembanyama (1) during the second half at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Creveling-Imagn Images | Christopher Creveling/Christopher Creveling-Imagn Images
Another Lauri Markkanen Injury For Fantasy Basketball Managers To Digest | Lauri Markkanen’s recent knee injury could sideline him for at least a week, impacting fantasy basketball strategies. This opens opportunities for players like John Collins, Keyonte George, and Brice Sensabaugh to increase their roles and fantasy value.
Ja Morant Is Set To Return And Impact Fantasy Basketball Leagues | Monday’s NBA action saw significant fantasy basketball impacts, with Gary Harris and Jalen Suggs suffering hamstring injuries, potentially increasing roles for Cole Anthony and Anthony Black.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Heat podcasts.
How Jimmy Butler Is Fueling the Miami Heat’s Turnaround The Miami Heat are 4-2 in their last six games and Jimmy Butler is playing his best basketball in a long time. Is this turnaround real, and what can we expect from Butler going forward? Wes Goldberg and David Ramil break down what they’re seeing from the Heat and what Butler said that could signal a big change in his approach.
Jimmy Butler’s Impact on Miami Heat’s Overtime Win Can the Miami Heat’s overtime triumph against the Dallas Mavericks signal a turning point in their season? With Jimmy Butler’s standout 33-point performance leading the charge, the Heat showcased their resilience in a thrilling NBA matchup. Hosts Wes Goldberg and David Ramil explore the strategic decisions that shaped this game, including Erik Spoelstra’s intriguing rotation choices and the impact of Miami’s five-out offensive strategy on players like Bam Adebayo. The discussion also touches on the absence of Luka Doncic and how it influenced the dynamics on the court.
How the Miami Heat Broke the 76ers, Joel Embiid Wanted Jimmy Butler, All-Star Game Changes Did the Miami Heat end the process-era Philadelphia 76ers, and how much is Joel Embiid to blame? Wes Goldberg and David Ramil dive into the differences between the two organizations and whether Embiid preferred Jimmy Butler over Paul George before looking ahead to Heat-Mavericks on Sunday and changes to the All-Star game.
