Heat End Three-Game Skid, Dominate Spurs 128-107

Miami, FL – Following a three-game skid to teams with records over .500, the Miami Heat put an end to that losing streak as they faced a struggling San Antonio Spurs team that had lost five of their previous six games. With all the chit-chat going on regarding Jimmy Butler’s trade rumors, the Heat needed a win to have basketball as their main center of attention once again. The Miami Heat got off to a slow 1st quarter start in their matchup against San Antonio but eventually found a way to get their groove on and preside in all aspects of the game.

Bam Adebayo/Kel’el Ware Frontcourt 

The topic that has everyone talking following the Heat’s win is the Adebayo/Ware pairing that Coach Erik Spoelstra included in his lineup. Most people will agree that Kel’el Ware was the game’s best player of the game. He matched his season high with 25 points and played some lights-out defense with 8 rebounds and 2 blocks. Bam Adebayo himself had an afternoon too with 11 rebounds and 5 assists.

Their performance together was undeniably spectacular when they brought back Miami into the game for good during the 2nd quarter when they had closed the half on a 14-2 run for over seven minutes. The entire crowd was on their feet after Bam Adebayo assisted Kel’el Ware on a 3-pointer to cut the deficit down to 3, making it 41-38.

When asked about the duo’s performance together, Coach Spo said,

“It’s such as small sample size, but obviously they’re both dynamic defensively. I think we’re at a point where I’ll start to do that if I feel like it’ll help.”

This is for you, #HEATNation

Bam finds Kel'el for the triple 👀 pic.twitter.com/gnK5heRzRa

— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) January 19, 2025

Raining 3’s for Duncan Robinson

It’s hard to imagine anyone surpassing Duncan Robinson’s all-time 3-point record for the Heat. He demonstrated yet  again on Sunday afternoon why that title will be his in the record books for a long time. Robinson looked unstoppable on the floor, scoring 21 points, including 15 from downtown. Besides, if you ever see him dunking like he did in the 3rd quarter, then you know the Heat are in cruise control of the game while he’s having fun out there.

This Duncan triple caps a 20-2 run ♨️ pic.twitter.com/1nFE244CrL

— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) January 19, 2025

Terry Rozier Shines

It’s presumable to say it hasn’t been the season that Rozier had wished for, but he sure did have himself a game. This was easily his best performance of the season. He looked like the Terry Rozier we were hoping to see more of when he got traded here, scoring 20 points (4 3-pointers), 5 assists, and grabbing 4 boards. His triple late in the 2nd quarter gave the Heat a 43-41 lead, and Miami never looked back since then.

20 points & 4 triples for Terry today 👌 pic.twitter.com/zRyUEO2DVo

— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) January 19, 2025

New Starting Lineup for Good?

Fans have made their comments clear on X that the new starting lineup should consist of:

C – Kal’el Ware, PF – Bam Adebayo, SF – Jimmy Butler, SG – Duncan Robinson, PG – Tyler Herro

The quintet combined for 78 points. Tyler Herro contributed 18 points, 7 assists, and 6 rebounds. Although Jimmy Butler only had 8 points, he did have 7 assists and 2 blocks.

Regarding Jimmy Butler’s return to the Heat so far, Coach Spoelstra said,

“That’s something we’ll build on, for sure. We want him being aggressive.” 

This has to be the starting lineup moving forward for the Miami Heat.

Time to turn the season around🗣️ pic.twitter.com/JZ2fymOgOZ

— 𝙃𝙚𝙖𝙩𝘾𝙪𝙡𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚 (@WadexFlash) January 19, 2025

What’s Next

The 21-20 Heat have hovered around the .500 mark all season. They will close off the current homestand against a dismal 14-28 Portland Trail Blazers team on Tuesday at 7:3o PM at the Kaseya Center.