What NBA 2K20 simulations have to say about the Miami Heat

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TORONTO, ON – APRIL 07: Justise Winslow #20 of the Miami Heat tries to get up after falling on the play against the Toronto Raptors at Scotiabank Arena on April 7, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) /

Simulation 2

In early November, the Dallas Mavericks offer Jalen Brunson and Isaiah Roby for Tyler Herro.

Several days later the Trail Blazers offer Anfernee Simons and Kent Bazemore for Kelly Olynyk and James Johnson.

In early December the Houston Rockets offer Eric Gordon and their 2020 first-round pick for Justise Winslow and Kendrick Nunn.

The first significant injury of the season doesn’t occur until shortly before Christmas when Olynyk is ruled out for 2-4 weeks with a bruised left heel. This is immediately followed up with Butler fracturing his right hand which will hold him out for 4-6 weeks. At this point the Miami Heat are 12-14, and Winslow starts for Butler with James Johnson slotting in for Olynyk.

Right before Christmas, the Detroit Pistons offer Luke Kennard and Markieff Morris for Adebayo and Haslem.

Around New Years the Sacramento Kings offer Bogdan Bogdanovic and a second round pick for Winslow.

Olynyk returns and the Heat are 13-22, having gone 1-8 in his absence. A couple games later Butler returns, the Heat having gone 4-12 in his absence.

A couple weeks before the trade deadline, the Pistons offer Tony Snell and Langston Galloway for Dragic.

At the trade deadline, the Chicago Bulls try to make a big splash and offer Zach LaVine and Christiano Felicio for Butler and a pick swap.

Also at the trade deadline, the LA Clippers offer Patrick Beverley and Maurice Harkless (who the Clippers received from the Heat as part of the mega-trade that brought Butler to the Heat in the first place) for Dragic and Nunn.

Right after the deadline, Herro dislocates his right elbow and is expected to miss 4-6 weeks.

Shortly before the All-Star break, Derrick Jones Jr. is diagnosed with knee tendinitis which will hold him out for 6-8 weeks.

The Heat go into a freefall over the final two months of the season and injury is added to insult when Olynyk misses the final two weeks of the season with a sprained ankle.

Record: 28-54

Once again the Heat finish with the third-worst record, better than only the Grizzlies and New York Knicks. This time they have the absolute worst defense, although they only yield 113 points per 100 possessions in this simulation. The Heat record a -7.0 net rating, also third-worst in the league.

Awards:

Stephen Curry wins MVP, Zion Williamson wins ROTY, Leonard wins DPOY. The Miami Heat are unrepresented in the awards category.

Once again the Lakers beat the Sixers in seven games and James wins Finals MVP.

Notable Heat performances:

Jimmy Butler: 66 games, 18.3 points, 6.2 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 2.1 steals per game. Shooting splits of .493/.364./.836.

Goran Dragic: 82 games, 17 points, 4.8 assists per game on shooting splits of .420/.313/.797.

Justise Winslow: 80 games, 16 starts, averaging 12.6 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game on shooting splits of .480/.339/.696.

Dion Waiters: 82 games, 15.5 points, 2.9 assists per game on shooting splits of .437/.361/.481.

Tyler Herro: 52 games, 9.6 points per game with shootings splits of .420/.395/.979.

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