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’s Offensive Struggles Exposed in Loss to Clippers
Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra during the third quarter against the LA Clippers at Intuit Dome. | Mandatory Credit: Jason Parkhurst-Imagn Images
The Miami Heat’s recent three-game win streak came to a screeching halt against the Los Angeles Clippers, with their offense drying up in a 109-98 loss. Without Bam Adebayo and Jimmy Butler, the Heat’s lack of offensive firepower was on full display.
Main takeaways:
• The Heat’s offense struggled mightily, especially after a hot first quarter
• Miami couldn’t manufacture points or create easy looks without Bam and Jimmy
• This game exposed the Heat’s need for more shot-making and creation
Look, we can’t sugarcoat it - the Heat’s offense was straight-up ugly in this one. They managed to put up 35 points in the first quarter thanks to some hot shooting from Kevin Love and Tyler Herro. But after that? It was like watching paint dry.
The Clippers deserve credit for their defensive effort. They’re one of the top-rated defenses in the league for a reason. But the Heat just had no answers. No one could break down the defense or create good looks. It was a lot of aimless passing around the perimeter before someone chucked up a prayer as the shot clock expired.
This game really highlighted how much the Heat rely on Bam and Jimmy to generate offense. Without Bam’s screen-setting and Jimmy’s ability to get to the rim, everything just bogged down. Tyler Herro did what he could, but he had zero help out there.
I hate to say it, but this loss feels more representative of what the Heat are without Jimmy Butler than those wins against bad teams like Utah and Portland. It exposed some serious flaws in their offense that need to be addressed.
Looking ahead, the Heat desperately need to find more shot-making and creation, whether that’s through internal development or bringing in outside help. Herro has made strides, but he can’t do it alone. They need more weapons to compete in today’s NBA.
The silver lining is the Heat are still good at beating bad teams, which should keep them in the play-in picture. But securing a top-6 seed is looking less and less likely, especially if Jimmy remains out or gets traded.
This game was a reality check for the Heat. They’ve got some work to do if they want to be true contenders again. The offense needs a serious overhaul, and it’ll be interesting to see how they address it moving forward.
Jan 13, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) dribbles up court against the Toronto Raptors during the second half at Scotiabank Arena. | John E. Sokolowski/John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
Something I realized last night at the Warriors-Raptors game, perhaps more pressingly than the last time the team was in town a season ago — this thing isn’t going to last forever.
You wouldn’t get that impression from Steph Curry, who takes his pre-game warmup last and happily engages with the fans who show up an hour before tip-off to watch him. Curry’s off-court presence, compared to his superstar contemporaries, has always been demure and private, but watching him revel and work within that outsized adoration is a privilege in itself. No fan in attendance watching him take feathery lob after feathery lob, or take a volleyball spike to the basketball so he could meet it mid-air for a dunk, was thinking about the finite nature of Curry — performer or competitor.
Even if the underlying desire of proximity to greatness stems from the understanding that one day that greatness will no longer exist, that reality doesn’t translate in the moment. In the moment, there’s just Curry, laughing with his coaches, signing the backs of jerseys, going through footwork, prepping for the night’s game.
Where the impression of a dynasty in its final stages becomes more pronounced is through the words of Warriors coach, Steve Kerr. Asked about how difficult it is to maintain a dynasty, and Kerr reverted to Curry.
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
Roster Miami Heat’s young players are stepping up in the absence of Jimmy Butler. Three youngsters are taking advantage of this opportunity to showcase their skills and make an impact. (All U Can Heat)
Analysis An NBA insider reveals that three Miami Heat players significantly influenced Jimmy Butler’s trade request. The revelation sheds light on internal team dynamics. (Sports Illustrated)
Analysis The 2025 NBA Mock Draft includes full two-round predictions and pro comparisons. Miami Heat fans will be keen on these insights to understand potential future picks. (Bleacher Report)
Analysis TheDetroit Pistons are emerging as a serious surprise story this season. (TSN)
Biz Explosive court documents show co-conspirators and other shocking details in Jontay Porter’s ongoing betting scandal. (The Athletic)
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
NBA Injury Update: Key Players Sidelined and Return Timelines For Fantasy Basketball
Jan 12, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Jazz guard Isaiah Collier (13) attempts a three point basket against the Brooklyn Nets during the third quarter at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images | Rob Gray/Rob Gray-Imagn Images
As we approach the midpoint of the NBA season, injuries continue to play a significant role in shaping team dynamics and fantasy basketball strategies. Let’s take a closer look at some of the most impactful injuries across the league and their potential implications.
The Utah Jazz are once again at the forefront of injury-related drama. Lauri Markkanen’s back spasms and John Collins’ hip issue have raised eyebrows, with many speculating about potential load management strategies. Keyonte George’s heel soreness has kept him out for five consecutive games, while Jordan Clarkson’s plantar fascia injury could potentially end his season. The Jazz’s injury situation is one to monitor closely, as it could lead to increased opportunities for players like Kyle Filipowski and Isaiah Collier
In Philadelphia, Joel Embiid’s knee injury has kept him out for four consecutive games. This absence highlights the risks associated with drafting Embiid in the first round of fantasy drafts. With a busy schedule ahead, including back-to-back sets, Embiid’s playing time could be limited even upon his return.
For more insights and a deeper dive into NBA injuries and their fantasy implications, tune into the Locked On Fantasy Basketball podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Fantasy Basketball Podcast:
• Portland Trail Blazers injury updates
• Phoenix Suns roster changes and injury concerns
• Orlando Magic’s lengthy injury report and fantasy implications
3peat (ICYMI)
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Heat podcasts.
How Miami Can Address Offensive Concerns After Loss to Clippers The offense stalled and the Miami Heat lost to the LA Clippers on Monday night, ending their three-game win streak and raising concerns about their offense without Jimmy Butler. Was this just a case of poor shooting, or are there bigger questions? Wes Goldberg and David Ramil break down the loss, look ahead to how the Heat can address the lack of scoring and ask if there’s another trade besides Butler that needs to be made.
Why Jimmy Butler Is Losing Leverage in Trade Talks The Miami Heat are navigating choppy waters as Jimmy Butler’s trade demands shake the NBA landscape. With Butler’s leverage waning, the Heat’s locker room dynamics are under the spotlight. Former NBA stars like Tony Allen and Tim Hardaway Sr. weigh in on Butler’s situation, adding layers to the ongoing narrative. As the Heat prepare to face the Los Angeles Clippers, the stakes are high, and the potential for a continued winning streak looms large.
How Jaime Jaquez Jr. Fueled Miami’s Win Over Utah Jaime Jaquez Jr. continued the best stretch of his season and the Miami Heat won their second straight game Thursday night against the Utah Jazz. Wes Goldberg and David Ramil ask if this is a turning point for Jaquez this season, hand out Credit Cookies and discuss why Erik Spoelstra is keeping Terry Rozier in the starting lineup.
