Miami Heat's unlikely hero earns MVP honors for the week

After a short break, we are back with a new edition of Miami Heat superlatives to kick off 2025! Let's take a look at the best moments from the Heat's last few games, highlighted by a scuffle and a game-winner.

MVP of the week: Terry Rozier

This honor has nothing to do with on-court performance, as Tyler Herro has clearly been the best player for the Heat not only for last week but for the season. The main reason Terry Rozier is the MVP of the week is due to him being the first one going after Houston Rockets forward Amen Thompson after Thompson threw Herro to the ground during their confrontation.

It's fair for Heat Nation to critique Rozier for his play this season, but one thing that can't be denied is that Rozier will always be ready to protect his teammates.

“We gotta protect all our guys, but definitely Tyler at all costs,” Rozier said.

Unfortunately, Rozier received a one-game suspension as punishment. But knowing the Heat organization, they will be fine with Rozier's suspension knowing it was for sticking up for their players.

Clutch moment of the week: Tyler Herro's game winner vs Magic

After the Heat's historic fourth quarter collapse in their second meeting against the Orlando Magic, Miami was on the verge of losing the season series to the Magic after a miraculous tap-in from Goga Bitadze gave Orlando a one point lead.

With the losing a good amount clutch games this season, the last thing Heat fans wanted to see was another ugly possession that led to a contested 3-pointer. Coming out of the timeout, the ball was rightfully put in Herro's hands. Herro got to his spot in the mid-range area and raised up to hit a beautiful shot that was nothing but net. 

When Herro received the ball, I was expecting Orlando to blitz him and make someone else beat them. The smart thing about the play Erik Spoelstra drew up was that the closest player to Herro was Duncan Robinson. This put Kentavious Caldwell-Pope in a tough spot, as if he were to fully commit to helping off, Robinson would have had a good luck at a catch-and-shoot 3-pointer.

Not only does this play help Herro's case to be an All-Star (which he should be), there should be a good argument that Herro should also be in the discussion for clutch player of the year given how many big shots he has hit for the Heat this season.

Unsung Hero of the week: Haywood Highsmith

In the absense of Jimmy Butler, Haywood Highsmith has stepped up his game. In the last three games played, Highsmith has averaged 12.7 points while shooting 65% from the floor and 57% from 3-point range on 4.7 attempts.

Highsmith has always been known for his defensive play, but Highsmith becoming nearly automatic from distance has been crucial for the Heat's offense. Highsmith's biggest moments came Sunday night against the Houston Rockets where Highsmith knocked down a big triple to even the game at 92.

And a few possessions later, Highsmith blocked Fred Van Vleet's 3-pointer and secured the rebound, leading to Miami taking the lead after Herro knocked down two free throws. Highsmith will always provide value to the team with his defense, but the offensive output is a cherry on top, and Highsmith deserves a ton of credit for being a key contributor for the Heat's recent success.

Best defensive play of the week: Jaime Jaquez Jr's chasedown block

There's no doubt that Jaime Jaquez Jr. has dealt with a hard sophomore slump, and his decrease in minutes from last year to now shows Spoelstra trusts other options on the wing over Jaquez. But, if Jaquez wants to be reinserted into a key rotation player, more winning plays such as the one made against the Orlando Magic need to happen more consistently.

In this instance, the Magic had a wide open layup to increase the lead to six, Jaquez put together his best LeBron James impression and swatted a Cory Joseph layup attempt from behind. The Heat then went on the break and Jaquez made the block worth it by hitting a corner 3-pointer to cut the lead to one.

To me, this was by far Jaquez's best sequence of the year and a top three performance from him. Jaquez went from a player that was consistently closing last season to now having to prove he can be counted on. I am rooting for Jaquez to get back to form, and continuing to make key plays in crunch time will boost Jaquez's stock back up.