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.
Miami Heat Bounce Back with Impressive Win Over Warriors
Miami Heat forward Nikola Jovic (5) reacts after hitting a three-point shot against the Golden State Warriors during the fourth quarter at Chase Center. | Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-Imagn Images
The Miami Heat bounced back in impressive fashion, taking down the Golden State Warriors 114-98 on Tuesday night. This win came less than 24 hours after a heartbreaking double-overtime loss to the Sacramento Kings. The Heat showed some serious grit, especially considering they were without Jimmy Butler.
Here are the key takeaways:
• Six Heat players scored in double figures, showcasing a well-rounded team effort
• The young guns stepped up big time - Nikola Jovic and Jaime Jaquez Jr. were standouts
• This performance should give Heat fans hope for the post-Jimmy Butler era
Jovic was the star of the show, dropping 20 points and leading the charge in the fourth quarter with 11 points. The kid’s growth was on full display - he started the year as a starter, got benched, and now he’s stepping up when it matters most. That’s huge for his development.
Jaquez Jr. also came up clutch, putting up 11 points in the first quarter to get things rolling. These two youngsters blossoming post-Jimmy Butler drama? That’s exactly what you want to see.
Let’s talk about the rotation. Spoelstra went with Jovic, Alec Burks, Duncan Robinson, Jaquez, and Bam Adebayo down the stretch. It worked like a charm. Tyler Herro didn’t play poorly, but Spo rode the hot hand and didn’t overthink it.
Now, onto the Jimmy Butler situation. Chris Haynes reported that the Grizzlies were told not to trade for Butler. Kevin O’Connor added that the Bucks got the same message. What’s that all about?
My take:
• It seems like Butler’s camp is trying to narrow down his options
• Phoenix looks like the frontrunner at this point
• The Heat might be prepared to welcome Jimmy back if a deal doesn’t materialize soon
The Suns are probably the most motivated team to make a move, and they’d likely offer Butler the max extension he’s after. But let’s be real - adding Jimmy to a team with Booker and Durant isn’t a guaranteed title contender. There are still a lot of moving parts to figure out.
Bottom line: This win against Golden State was huge for Miami. It saved their road trip and showed what this team can do even without Jimmy Butler. The young guys are stepping up, the rotation is coming together, and the Heat are proving they can compete no matter what happens with the Butler situation.
Jan 7, 2025; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) reacts after a fouled was not called against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the second half at Smoothie King Center. | Matthew Hinton/Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images
How can you know in the NBA if something’s real?
If a team really is on a sustainable upward trajectory, or if they’ve overachieved? If a player whose name has become synonymous with trade talks really wants out (or in somewhere else, depending on how you’re looking at it)? How can you tell the difference between talent and development, and when does it start to matter? And how do you know that regular season dominance will translate into postseason competence, let alone contention?
I’ve been thinking about NBA mirages, the things we will ourselves into believing over the course of a season, as a few of the league’s prominent storylines play out. What constitutes an NBA mirage is that it has justenough staying power at a distance, but like the real thing, when you start to interrogate it up close its corporeal outlines vanish.
Trades are a huge generator of NBA mirages. I hate to think how many ESPN’s NBA Trade Machine tool is pumping out per hour as the trade deadline approaches. Jimmy Butler’s request for a trade out of Miami is one of the reasons I started thinking about them, specifically, where they shift from fantasy to reality. The prospect of a trade, for Butler, is as solid as the car he gets in to drive himself to Heat games. For Pat Riley and the Heat’s front office, the trade’s an illusion (delusion, maybe, if you asked Riley). What’s real to them is Butler’s behaviour, which they emphasized by suspending him for seven games.
Does Butler, since then reported to have asked both the Bucks and the Grizzlies not to trade for him, make his potential trade more real by narrowing its scope? Or is he limiting himself and his chances of an exit — any exit — from Miami?
Shifting from trades to returns, Zion Williamson’s back on the floor in New Orleans. Williamson’s dunks, like his first in-game slam last night since early November, have a knack for calling to mind immediately the contours of the earth under your feet. I tend to curl my toes against the ground, checking it’s still there. Why then, does he make me think of mirages? The hope for Williamson, since he entered the league, has been consistency — in his health, his game, his career.
Katie Heindl is a credentialed NBA and WNBA writer, her bylines have appeared with The New York Times Magazine, SLAM, The Athletic, Yahoo Sports, Dime, Rolling Stone, among others. She writes the bestselling Substack, Basketball Feelings and is working on a book of the same name.
Home and Away
Rumor Bradley Beal’s agent dismisses any potential trade to the Suns, hinting that the Miami Heat might still be a contender for Jimmy Butler’s next superstar teammate. (All U Can Heat)
Analysis The Ringer’s analysis reveals a harsh truth about the Miami Heat’s season, highlighting key areas where the team needs to improve to stay competitive. Strategic insights are crucial for their success. (All U Can Heat)
Analysis Key takeaways from the Miami Heat’s much-needed victory against the Warriors reveal strategic adjustments that helped the team move up in the East. Game insights shed light on the team’s evolving dynamics. (Sports Illustrated)
Prediction Updated win-loss predictions for the Miami Heat’s remaining 2024-25 NBA schedule offer an optimistic outlook, with analysts forecasting potential playoff positioning. Season forecasts provide a glimpse into future performance. (Bleacher Report)
Must Read Amid Pacific wildfires, Steve Kerr and JJ Redick’s families have evacuated the area. (CNN)
Biz What the EuroLeague and IMG’s new deals mean for the future of basketball in Europe. (The Athletic)
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Tuesday’s Key Fantasy Basketball Notes
Jan 7, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) signals to his team during the first half against the Charlotte Hornets at the Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-Imagn Images | Sam Sharpe/Sam Sharpe-Imagn Images
Tuesday’s NBA action brought a mix of surprises and disappointments across seven games. The Phoenix Suns, despite their recent lineup changes, continue to underperform, raising questions about their strategy and team dynamics.
The Los Angeles Lakers suffered a significant setback, losing to a depleted Dallas Mavericks team. This loss highlights ongoing concerns about the Lakers’ consistency and ability to compete against even weakened opponents.
In a thrilling finish, Trae Young of the Atlanta Hawks showcased his clutch abilities by sinking a half-court shot to secure a victory. Young’s performance was stellar throughout the game, finishing with an impressive 24 points and 20 assists.
Injury Updates and Roster Moves
Several key players were sidelined due to injuries or illness. Jeremy Sochan of the San Antonio Spurs is out with a back issue, potentially impacting his trade value. Jerami Grant’s facial contusion continues to sideline him, opening up opportunities for players like Deni Avdija.
The Philadelphia 76ers are facing challenges with both Joel Embiid and Paul George out, though not due to a back-to-back situation. This absence further complicates the 76ers’ season, which has already been marred by inconsistency.
Ausar Thompson’s absence due to illness raises concerns, especially given his history of health issues. While the exact nature of his current condition remains unclear, fans and fantasy managers alike are hoping it’s not as serious as his previous bout with blood clots.
Waiver Wire Trends
The waiver wire has seen some interesting movement, with Bryce Sensabaugh emerging as the most-added player despite missing a game due to illness. Ryan Dunn and Nikola Jovic have also seen increased interest, though their long-term value remains questionable.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Heat podcasts.
Miami’s Bam Adebayo Needs to Step Up Now Can the Miami Heat recover from their double-overtime heartbreak against the Sacramento Kings? This episode dives into Bam Adebayo’s critical role, Jaime Jaquez Jr.'s standout triple-double, and Erik Spoelstra’s lineup decisions. Wes Goldberg and David Ramil explore potential trade scenarios, including a blockbuster involving Zion Williamson, and discuss the implications for the Heat’s roster and playoff hopes.
How Does Miami Move On After Jimmy Butler’s Trade Request? Can the Miami Heat overcome the turmoil of Jimmy Butler’s trade request? Dive into the latest buzz surrounding the Miami Heat as they navigate a challenging season in the NBA. With star player Jimmy Butler’s trade request shaking up the team dynamics, hosts Wes Goldberg and David Ramil explore the implications for the Heat’s future
Jimmy Butler Wants a Trade From the Miami Heat After a revealing press conference in which Jimmy Butler claimed he could not find joy playing for the Miami Heat, ESPN reported that Butler has told the team that he wants to be traded. What do the Heat do now, and what is Butler’s trade value? Which teams would want Butler at this point? Wes Goldberg and David Ramil react to an eventful postgame press conference, and talk about how they got here and what comes next for Butler and the Heat.
