Another Play-In Tournament Berth May Not Be Enough To Appease Fan Base

Sean Jordan | Mar 22, 2025

Mar 21, 2025; Miami, Florida, USA; Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro (14) drives to the basket as Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun (28) defends in the second half at Kaseya Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images / Jim Rassol-Imagn Images

The Miami Heat's chances at making the playoffs are dwindling each day.

The Heat are in the midst of a 10-game losing streak, the longest under coach Erik Spolestra. The losses have been attributed by many to their fourth quarter woes.

The Eastern Conference is weaker this season than in recent years. Even amidst this losing streak, the No. 10 Heat still hold a five-game lead over the No. 11 Toronto Raptors in the standings. The Heat are also one game back behind the No. 9 Chicago Bulls.

Bleacher Report released an article predicting the Heat as a team to make the Play-In Tournament. However, the team is still not impressing.

"The Heat also own the league's second-worst crunch-time net rating, trailing only the tank-tastic Utah Jazz," the article wrote. "And for good measure, among 50-plus players with at least 10 clutch appearances and a usage rate of 30 or higher, Tyler Herro ranks second-last in true shooting percentage."

The Heat's draft pick situation should also motivate the team to get past the Play-In and into the actual playoffs.

"Next year's Miami Heat pick will head to the Oklahoma City Thunder with zero protection if the former finishes inside this year's lottery. That then has a trickle-down effect on their first-round obligation to the Charlotte Hornets from the Terry Rozier trade. Ergo, the Heat have every incentive to get out of the play-in and make the actual playoffs."

The Heat still have 12 games left this season. Given the East's weak landscape, it would take an even more disastrous finish to the season for the team to miss out on the Play-In Tournament.

HEAT 2K RATING CHANGES

One of the best ways to tell how a player's season is going is to keep track of their NBA 2K rating.

Amid the Miami Heat's record nine-game losing streak under Erik Spoelstra, many players are seeing their 2K ratings decrease. Let's take a look at who is struggling on the court in the eyes of the 2K game developers.

Andrew Wiggins - 80 OVR (Last Week: 81 OVR)

Wiggins was the big piece acquired from the Golden State Warriors in last month's blockbuster Jimmy Butler deal. The veteran wing has been on the sidelines over the last two games. Since joining the Heat, Wiggins is averaging 18.3 points, 4.2 rebounds and 2.9 assists while shooting 42.2 percent from the field. His field goal percentage is among the lowest in his decade-long career. If Wiggins can help the team get back in the win column, his rating will surely increase.

Jaime Jaquez Jr. - 77 OVR (Last Week: 78 OVR)

Jaquez is having a real disappointing season. After having an impressive rookie campaign being named to the All-Rookie First Team, Jaquez's minutes are slowly decreasing in the Heat's injury-plagued rotation. He is averaging 8.7 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.5 assists while shooting 44 percent from the field.

Haywood Highsmith - 76 OVR (Last Week: 77 OVR)

Highsmith has carved a solid role with the team over the past few seasons as a 3-and-D with the ability to guard multiple positions. This season, he has started 40 games, by far his most since joining the Heat in 2021. With the increase in minutes, there has been a slight decline in efficiency. He is averaging 6.3 points, 3.1 rebounds and 1.4 assists while shooting 46.3 percent from the field. Highsmith is also shooting 38.7 percent from three-point range.

Terry Rozier - 75 OVR (Last Week: 76 OVR)

Maybe the most disappointing season comes from Rozier, who was the Heat's big trade deadline acquisition last season. His $25 million cap hit is not representing his on-court play. Rozier entered the season as the starting point guard but Tyler Herro's breakout season has demoted Rozier to a role off the bench. He is averaging 11.2 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.7 assists while shooting 39.6 percent from the field. He is also shooting 30 percent from three-point range, his lowest since his rookie season in 2015.

HASLEM SHARES RILEY'S MENTALITY

The Luka Doncic-Anthony Davis trade between the Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Lakers continues to shock the NBA world.

The blockbuster deal occurred more than a month ago with many in league circles still questioning the Mavericks' motives behind completing the trade.

On his podcast, The OGs Show, Miami Heat legend Udonis Haslem shared his thoughts on the trade. His opinion has been shaped by what Miami Heat president Pat Riley shared with him.

"I got this from Coach Riley: anytime you get an opportunity to get a whale, you gotta take it," Haslem said. "I hear Riley talk about those whales—those certain types of players that, no matter what, if they come up and they’re available, you make the move that you gotta make to get ’em and right now Bron's playing the best basketball he's probably played, you know, since he's been a Laker."

Riley acquired future Hall of Famer LeBron James through free agency in 2010. James won the Most Valuable Player award twice before joining Miami. He signed a six-year, $110 million contract to team up with Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade, beginning the first NBA player "superteam".

James took less then the maximum contract offered to allow the team to add depth. Bosh or Wade weren't cheap either. Riley did whatever it took to bring the three players in. With the Big Three, the Heat made four consecutive trips to the NBA Finals, winning two of them.

It's safe to say Riley's mentality paid off at the time as that Heat roster was one of the most dominant in NBA history. Only time will tell to see if it pays off as well for the Lakers.

Sean Jordan is a contributor to Miami Heat On Sports Illustrated. He can be reached at sjorda06@syr.edu.

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