After a 10-game losing streak that had many writing them off, the Miami Heat have turned things around with six straight wins, including a statement over the Boston Celtics on Wednesday night.
This isn't just a winning streak. It's proof of a concept.
Beating the Celtics in Boston is no small feat. The Heat hadn't done it in the regular season since December of 2022. And the Heat didn't just win. They dominated, leading by as much as 22 points.
Even when Boston made a late push to cut the lead to four, Miami responded with poise and pushed it back to double digits. This wasn't the Heat team we saw during that losing skid. This was a team that knew exactly who they were and how they wanted to play.
The Heat's new identity.
The difference? Miami has figured out its identity without Jimmy Butler. Tyler Herro is thriving off-ball, Bam Adebayo is picking his spots and Kyle Anderson is orchestrating the second unit. But it's the new pieces that are really making waves. Pelle Larsson has become a hustle-play machine, while Davion Mitchell is locking down opponents and providing a surprising offensive spark.
Mitchell’s 3-point shooting has been a revelation. He’s making 47% of his 3s when wearing a Heat uniform. But it's not just about the percentages – it's about the timing. Mitchell and Larsson hit back-to-back 3s late in the fourth quarter to put the game out of reach. (The Celtics cleared their bench shortly after, with 5 minutes left in the game!)
Back to Tyler Herro for a moment. His evolution as a playmaker has been stunning. Against the Celtics, he led all scorers with 25 points, but it was his nine assists and ability to draw fouls (9-of-10 from the free-throw line) that really stood out. Herro's game is slowing down, and he's making smarter decisions with the ball.
But perhaps the most intriguing development is Pelle Larsson. The second-round pick is forcing Miami into a tough decision. Since stepping into the starting lineup for the injured Andrew Wiggins, Larsson is more than eating innings over the last three games. His timely backdoor cuts nourish the offense and he creates turnovers on defense. When Wiggins does return, Larsson has made a case to remain in the rotation.
The Heat's turnaround isn't just about individual performances, though. It's about a team finding its collective identity. Erik Spoelstra has tightened up his rotation, using just three bench players during the meaningful minutes in Boston.
Nearly two months after trading Jimmy Butler, this group is coalescing. Herro is a full-fledged, three-level scorer and Adebayo has rediscovered his shooting stroke (52% since the All-Star break). Struggling players like Terry Rozier and Jaime Jaquez Jr. have been excised from the lineup. Spoelstra has empowered newcomers Anderson and Mitchell to play to their strengths.
As impressive as this streak has been, it's important to remember that things can change quickly. The Heat have gone from losing 10 straight to winning six in a row. It’s anyone’s guess how these final six games will play out.
So, are the Heat "back"? It's a loaded question. They're certainly playing their best basketball of the season, but the championship window is closed. It’s about developing a foundation to build upon.
These final games might also be about play-in tournament seeding. The Heat (35-41) are one game back of the Hawks (36-40) for the eighth seed in the East. Grab that, and the Heat will move into the 7-8 matchup of the play-in tournament, where they have two chances to win one and make the playoffs. Remaining in the 9-10 matchup means they’d have to win two straight to earn the final playoff spot.
One thing's for certain: the Heat have made it clear they're not as bad as a 10-game losing streak might lead one to believe. Those teams don’t beat the Celtics.