Biggest Disappointment
Tachauer: The March 31 loss against the New York Knicks hurt. Especially given so many of their key players weren’t even playing that night. Not only was it an ugly loss in the moment, but it also probably ended up costing the Heat their postseason run. There was no excuse for that lackluster performance and it’s hard to remember a worse game, even in the 11-30 record days.
Sanning: For me, it’s a span of two games. The consecutive losses to the New York Knicks and Denver Nuggets in the final stretch of the season hurt the worst. Had the Heat won those two games (which they only lost by a combined seven total points), we would be having a very different conversation today
Simon Smith (@SimonABenedict): Losing three out of four games to the Orlando Magic. For some reason, the Magic of all teams had our measure. Even during the Heat’s remarkable second half of the season run, the Magic were able to triumph twice in the space of three weeks.
Best Single Game Performance
Goldberg: Goran Dragic scored 33 points on 17 field goal attempts, including making seven of his nine three-pointers, and had nine assists in the Heat’s 115-113 win over the Timberwolves on Feb. 6. It was the most efficient and dominating performance of the Heat’s season and it helped extend Miami’s eventual 13-game win streak to 11.
Sanning: Dion’s performance against the Golden State Warriors, no doubt. 33 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists, not to mention the game winning three-pointer over the outstretched arms of Klay Thompson, and the signature pose that followed.