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.
Heat, Herro Explode Offensively in Blowout vs. Lakers
Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro (14) drives past Los Angeles Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell (1) in the first half at Kaseya Center. | Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images
Hey there, Heat fans! Let’s chat about the Miami Heat’s recent game against the Lakers. Jimmy Butler was back, and Miami was healthier than ever, leading to a big win over the Lakers with a score of 134-93. It was a wild one, and here’s what went down in the first part of the episode
- Tyler Herro’s Performance: Tyler Herro was on fire, especially in the third quarter, hitting seven three-pointers and helping to blow the game wide open. He was the ignitable difference maker to help the Heat pull away and secure a rare blowout victory.
- Defensive Strategy: Miami’s defense was solid, particularly against Anthony Davis, who was held to just eight points. Bam Adebayo took on the challenge and made it tough for Davis to find his rhythm. But Adebayo got contributions from his teammates as well, being physical with Davis and keeping him from finding open shots.
- Lakers’ Struggles: The Lakers seemed to fall apart, with LeBron James carrying much of the load offensively but not getting enough support from Davis or anyone else. Their defense was lacking, and Miami took full advantage. And while the focus might be on the Lakers’ meltdown on a national level, Miami’s determined effort was a key factor in their victory.
- Credit Cookies: Herro earned the bulk of the credit cookies for his outstanding play, with other players like Haywood Highsmith, Terry Rozier, Bam Adebayo, and Jimmy Butler also contributing significantly. Kevin Love and Duncan Robinson were also strong contributors, albeit mostly on the offense end.
- All-Star Talk: Herro’s performance vs. the Lakers, building off a strong season so far, is putting him in the conversation for the All-Star game, thanks to his impressive stats and impact on the court. We run down the other options at guard in the Eastern Conference and why Herro has a strong case.
- Upcoming Games: The Heat have a chance to build on this win with upcoming games against teams like the Phoenix Suns and Cleveland Cavaliers. It’s crucial for the Heat to stay in a rhythm and string together multiple wins.
This game showed what the Heat can do when they’re firing on all cylinders. Let’s see if they can keep this momentum going!
Christmas lights are springing up, you can’t go anywhere without hearing Mariah Carey, and football players are making snow angels in the end zone. That means, somehow, the first quarter of the 2024-25 NBA season has come and gone. Let’s hand out some hardware!
Note: these aren’t forward-looking projections for the year-end choices. These are merit-based awards for the first 20-ish games that every team has played so far.
Eastern Conference MVP: Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics
There isn’t a single superstar in the game as well-rounded as Tatum. His headline ability, scoring, is understated and mathematically elegant. He’s averaging 28.4 points per game by taking advantage of the most valuable areas on the floor: he’s finishing at career-best levels (74% shooting at the rim, the same number as Giannis and a smidge above Anthony Davis), launching a monstrous 10.6 three-pointers per game, and earning the second-most free throws of his NBA life.
But all the high-wattage guys can score. It’s everything else that sets Tatum apart. He’s become an elite positional passer, as we saw in last year’s NBA Finals; he eats defensive rebounds with startling voracity; he’s a mean-as-hell pick-setter:
While star forwards around the league complain about having to guard centers, Tatum is quietly defending bigs more often than ever before (20% of the time, to be exact).
His one surface-level deficiency, offensive rebounding, has more to do with schematic choices than personal flaws.
With apologies to Giannis Antetokounmpo, doing his best to bring the Bucks back to relevance, Tatum is a no-brainer choice.
Western Conference MVP: Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets
Jokic is currently third in scoring, second in rebounding, second in assists, eighth in steals (!), and second in three-point percentage. You already know who’s on top of every advanced metric leaderboard. The Nuggets post a 129.1 offensive rating with Jokic on the floor, miles ahead of the Knicks’ league-leading 123.7; they post a 96.4 offensive rating without him, a Mariana Trench-length beneath the Wizards’ anemic 103.8.
Frankly, I’ve been writing about the NBA for a while, and despite my pharaonic vocabulary (and access to online thesauri), I’ve run out of ways to describe why and how Jokic is the MVP. When we’re talking about the league’s most videogenic player, just listing stats feels wrong, but it’s also the best way to convey his overwhelming dominance.
Not even Tatum can reach the oxygen-deprived heights that Jokic routinely (and literally!) resides in. The Nugget is the MVP of the conference and the quarter, without question.
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
Analysis Tyler Herro’s performance against the Lakers shows he might be All-Star material. The article examines Herro’s standout contributions in the game. (All U Can Heat)
Fans Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo respond to critics in a fiery manner. The duo takes turns addressing negative feedback from fans and media. (Sports Illustrated)
Must Read It was more than 1,000 days between games for Lonzo Ball. A look inside his grueling recovery and unprecedented return to the league. (ESPN)
Analysis Handing out early hardware for the 24-25 NBA season, including the rarely-seen “Unluckiest Team of the Quarter” award. (Basketball Poetry)
Saturday, Dec. 07 | 8:00 PM | Kaseya Center (Miami, FL) | Get Tickets
Cavaliers @ Heat
Sunday, Dec. 08 | 6:00 PM | Kaseya Center (Miami, FL) | Get Tickets
TBD @ Heat (NBA Cup: Contigent game)
Saturday, Dec. 30 | 12:00 AM | Kaseya Center (Miami, FL) | Get Tickets
Replay: Fantasy Cheat Sheet
NBA Fantasy Basketball: Key Takeaways from Tuesday’s Games
Dec 3, 2024; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35) falls to the ground after rolling his ankle against the San Antonio Spurs in the first half of an NBA Cup game at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas/Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Kevin Durant’s Ankle Injury: What It Means for Fantasy Managers
Kevin Durant’s recent ankle injury is a significant concern for fantasy basketball managers. Durant, who has been a cornerstone for many fantasy teams, left the game after just 16 minutes, scoring 13 points with four rebounds. This re-aggravation of a previous injury could mean time on the sidelines, impacting his availability in the coming weeks. Fantasy managers should consider potential replacements or temporary fill-ins, such as Grayson Allen or Royce O’Neal, who might see increased roles in Durant’s absence. However, neither is a must-add in standard leagues, but they could provide short-term value in deeper formats.
Philadelphia 76ers vs. Charlotte Hornets: Player Performances
In the clash between the 76ers and Hornets, Paul George’s resurgence was a highlight. Despite playing 37 minutes, George’s performance—29 points, eight rebounds, and six three-pointers—showed signs of his former All-NBA self. However, with a back-to-back game on the horizon, his availability remains uncertain, making it crucial for fantasy managers to monitor his status closely.
Tyrese Maxey’s shooting struggles continued, but his ability to contribute in other areas, such as free throws and defense, keeps him relevant in fantasy lineups. Meanwhile, Kelly Oubre Jr. delivered a solid outing with 14 points and four three-pointers, making him a viable short-term option.
Charlotte Hornets’ Frontcourt Dynamics
The return of Mark Williams was a notable development, albeit with limited minutes. This situation presents a sell-high opportunity for Nick Richards, who posted an impressive 22 points and 14 rebounds. While there’s a chance Richards could outperform Williams, the Hornets’ long-term plans likely favour Williams, making Richards a potential trade candidate for savvy fantasy managers.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Heat podcasts.
Heat Offense Erups, Lakers Meltdown, Herro Kickstarts All-Star Campaign The Miami Heat blew out the Los Angeles Lakers in Miami on Wednesday night, forcing LeBron James, Anthony Davis and JJ Redick to take a hard look in the mirror. Meanwhile, Tyler Herro went off for 31 points, including making seven 3s in the third quarter, to kickstart his 2025 NBA All-Star campaign in front of a national audience. Wes Goldberg and David Ramil react to the game, ask how the Heat broke the Lakers, and what it means for the next part of their season
Why the Miami Heat’s Blowout Loss to Celtics Should Prompt Changes The Miami Heat got blown out by the Boston Celtics on Monday night. Sure, they were without Jimmy Butler, but the Celtics were also without several key players and it did not matter. Should back-to-back losses and falling to under .500 be enough to prompt changes? Wes Goldberg and David Ramil react to the game and look ahead to what the Heat can do to fix things.
Miami Heat’s Bam Adebayo + Tyler Herro: A Dynamic Duo or Missed Potential? Can the Miami Heat bounce back after their tough loss to the Toronto Raptors? With Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro at the forefront, the Heat’s recent performance raises questions about their strategy and future prospects.
