South Florida

Looking back: See how the Miami Heat was doing last season

Stories by Miami Herald journalists, with AI summarization

The articles all show the Miami Heat adjusting their approach after a difficult period. They show signs of trying new rotations, improving shooting, reducing turnovers, and focusing on rebounding.

In one game, the Heat's starters logged more minutes together, building early leads and scoring efficiently. Another performance saw the Heat use strong shooting from three-point range to break open a game in the second half. In a different matchup, five Heat players scored in double figures, while Bam Adebayo nearly reached a triple-double. The team has also filled its summer roster by signing undrafted players to two-way contracts and including recent draft picks, aiming for growth and depth. These actions suggest the Heat are making incremental changes to address past issues and build a stronger team.

Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro (14) rises above Brooklyn Nets guard Ben Simmons (10) as he lays up the ball during the first half of an NBA game at the Kaseya Center on Monday, Dec. 23, 2024, in Miami, Fla. By D.A. Varela

NO. 1: HEAT ENDS THREE-GAME SKID WITH WIN OVER NETS, BUT LOSES DRU SMITH. TAKEAWAYS AND DETAILS

The Heat ended its three-game skid, but lost Dru Smith to an injury on Monday. | Published December 24, 2024 | Read Full Story by Anthony Chiang

Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier (2) reacts with teammate Jimmy Butler (22) after hitting a three during the first half of an NBA game against the San Antonio Spurs at the Kaseya Center on Tuesday, October 15, 2024, in Miami. By D.A. Varela

NO. 2: HEAT STARTERS PLAY EXTENDED MINUTES, TRENDS TO WATCH, MORE TAKEAWAYS FROM PRESEASON WIN VS. SPURS

Takeaways and details from Tuesday night’s Heat preseason win over the Spurs ... | Published October 16, 2024 | Read Full Story by Anthony Chiang

Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (22) dribbles while defended by New Orleans Pelicans forward Herbert Jones (2) during the first quarter of an NBA game at Kaseya Center on January 1, 2025, in Miami. By D.A. Varela

NO. 3: JIMMY BUTLER RETURNS, HEAT DEFEATS STRUGGLING PELICANS TO OPEN HOMESTAND. TAKEAWAYS AND DETAILS

Jimmy Butler returns and Heat defeats the struggling Pelicans. Takeaways and details ... | Published January 2, 2025 | Read Full Story by Anthony Chiang

Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro (14) walks towards the bench as he daps up Miami Heat Head Coach Erik Spoelstra during the first half of Game 4 of the Eastern Conference NBA Playoffs against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Kaseya Center on April 28, 2025, in Miami. By D.A. Varela

NO. 4: HEAT’S SEASON ENDS WITH FIRST-ROUND SWEEP TO CAVS IN HISTORICALLY BAD LOSS. TAKEAWAYS AND DETAILS

The Heat’s rough season ended with a big thud. Takeaways from the season-ending loss ... | Published April 29, 2025 | Read Full Story by Anthony Chiang

Michigan center Vladislav Goldin (50) attempts a free throw against Auburn during the second half of the Sweet 16 round of NCAA tournament at State Farm Arena in Atlanta on March 28, 2025. By Junfu Han

NO. 5: HEAT DOESN’T MAKE SECOND-ROUND PICK, BUT ADDS UNDRAFTED CENTER TO TWO-WAY DEAL AND FILLS SUMMER ROSTER

The Heat didn’t make a pick in the second round, but quickly turned its attention to the undrafted pool of players. | Published June 27, 2025 | Read Full Story by Anthony Chiang Barry Jackson

Florida Panthers center Brad Marchand (63) holds the Stanley Cup above his head during the Panthers’ championship celebration on Sunday, June 22, 2025 in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. By Alie Skowronski

NO. 6: COTE: CHAMPION PANTHERS KEEP REVVING THIS SUMMER WHILE MIAMI HEAT STAYS QUIET | OPINION

Have the Florida Panthers become bigger than the Miami Heat in the crowded South Florida sports market? The question has become fair game, and each team’s offseason thus far has only underlined the Panthers’ momentum | Published July 2, 2025 | Read Full Story by Greg Cote

Bam Adebayo #13 of the Miami Heat takes a shot against Jaren Jackson Jr. #8 of the Memphis Grizzlies during the first half at FedExForum on October 24, 2025 in Memphis, Tennessee. By Justin Ford

NO. 7: SPEEDY HEAT EXPLODE FOR HISTORIC FIRST HALF ON WAY TO BLOWOUT WIN OVER GRIZZLIES. TAKEAWAYS

Five takeaways from the Miami Heat’s dominant 146-114 win over the Memphis Grizzlies (1-1) on Friday night at FedExForum to close its season-opening two-game trip. | Published October 25, 2025 | Read Full Story by Anthony Chiang

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.