Heat skid reaches seven after 125-91 no-show vs. Grizzlies, even with Morant out
Not good enough. Again. For the seventh consecutive game.
Through all the lineup changes (including yet another one) and the alternating between falling behind early or collapsing late, defeat has become a constant for the Miami Heat, including Saturday night’s 125-91 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies at FedEx Forum, their most lopsided road loss of the season.
The losing streak now seven and the record 29-38, the Heat find themselves nine games below .500 for the first time since the 2016-17 season.
As in before Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro arrived.
As in before Jimmy Butler was added (and then blew up this season before leaving).
Even with Adebayo coming around with his offense on an 18-point night, the Heat were unable to take advantage of the injury absence of Grizzlies guard Ja Morant on a night Herro again struggled as the focus of the opposing defense, closing 3 of 12 from the field for eight points.
In Morant’s absence, the Grizzlies had more than enough, with Jaren Jackson Jr. scoring 31 and Desmond Bane finishing with 22 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists.
The Grizzlies closed at .554 from the field, with their 72 points in the paint the most by a Heat opponent this season.
The Heat next take their losing streak to Madison Square Garden for a Monday night game against the New York Knicks on the back end of this two-game trip.
Five Degrees of Heat from Saturday night’s game:
— 1. Game flow: The Grizzlies went up 18 early and led 38-27 after the first quarter and then 63-48 at halftime.
The Heat then got within 12 early in the third period, before the Grizzlies seized a 94-67 lead going into the fourth, pushing their lead into the 30s early in the final period.
By that point, Herro and Adebayo were parked on the bench, with Herro’s streak of consecutive games scoring in double figures ending at 88 (a streak that had stood at 93 when also factoring in playoff games).
The added playing time with Adebayo on the bench allowed Kel’el Ware to close with 19 points and 11 rebounds.
— 2. Rotation remix: After shaking up his lineup in Friday night’s loss to the Celtics, Heat coach Erik Spoelstra had Ware back in the opening mix Saturday, but kept Duncan Robinson with the first five in place of Davion Mitchell.
The reshuffled deck didn’t end there, with Kyle Anderson getting his first minutes in three games and Terry Rozier back in the rotation after being held out Friday against the Celtics.
Anderson played as backup center after Ware was called for two fouls in the opening 4:43.
Mitchell then started the second half in place of Robinson, who was scoreless on 0-for-3 shooting in the first half and did not return.
— 3. More Adebayo: After attempting only two shots in each of the previous two games, Adebayo this time eclipsed that total with 1:23 remaining in the second period.
After scoring 15 total points the previous two games, Adebayo closed with 18 on 7-of-15 shooting in 30 minutes, including 2 of 4 on 3-pointers.
— 4. Elite spectator: The Grizzlies were the latest team feeling enough comfort to sit a leading man against the Heat. A night after scoring 44 in a home loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers, Morant was scratched an hour before tipoff due to shoulder soreness.
That was after the Celtics held out Jaylen Brown and Kristaps Porzingis in their Friday victory at Kaseya Center, with both returning Saturday in Brooklyn.
And that was after the Los Angeles Clippers held out Kawhi Leonard in their Wednesday night victory in Miami.
Morant has not played against the Heat since Oct. 30, 2021.
— 5. So when?: It’s not as if the Heat schedule eases.
After Monday night’s game in New York, the Heat return home to face the surprising Detroit Pistons on Wednesday night and the contending Houston Rockets on Friday night.
That could mean continued misery until next Sunday’s visit by the lowly Charlotte Hornets, an opponent that already has won at Kaseya Center amid this losing streak.
-
Memphis Grizzlies' Ja Morant added to injury report ahead of game vs Miami Heat
Ja Morant was added to the Memphis Grizzlies injury report ahead of Saturday's game.Yahoo Sports - 2d -
'The Earth’s Not Falling Apart': Wild Drop Seventh Game In Last Ten
ST. PAUL - Despite losing seven of its last ten games, the Earth isn't falling in the eyes of the Minnesota Wild. Even after one of the most sluggish games of the year, the Wild have to flush a 5-1 ...Yahoo Sports - 1d -
Jackson, Bane lead Grizzlies to 125-91 victory over Miami, Heat's 7th straight loss
Jaren Jackson Jr. had 31 points, Desmond Bane added 22 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists as the Memphis Grizzlies led from start to finish in a 125-91 victory over the Miami Heat on Saturday ...Yahoo Sports - 1d -
Yet Another Live-Service Game Is Sunsetting This Summer Months After Release
Sumo Digital has announced that it is going to sunset Stampede: Racing Royale this summer. It's a 60-player free-to-play racing royale game that entered early access in 2023 .. "Due to a variety ...GameSpot - 4d -
Atalanta fall against Inter yet again while Inzaghi aims for the stars | Nicky Bandini
Another costly defeat means Gian Piero Gasperini’s side have not beaten the Nerazzurri from Milan since 2018. There was no timidity left in the city of Bergamo, no desire to hide behind underdog ...The Guardian - 7h -
Checking out early: who is going to die in this season of The White Lotus?
The third season of Mike White’s delicious resort-set comedy drama has teased yet another murder but we don’t yet know the whos or the whys. After a characteristically slow start, we are now ...The Guardian - 5d -
Rangers' Collapse Against Senators Is Costly In Heated Playoff Race
The New York Rangers had two points in the palm of their hands against the Ottawa Senators on Saturday afternoon, but squandered the opportunity after a late-game collapse, leading to a 4-3 ...Yahoo Sports - Mar. 8 -
Grizzlies snap 4-game losing streak, Ja Morant scores 31 in 122-111 win over Mavericks
The Grizzlies appeared to be on their way to losing their fifth consecutive game, but took control in the fourth quarter.Yahoo Sports - Mar. 8 -
Heat humbled to sixth consecutive loss by shorthanded Celtics 103-91
MIAMI – Against an opponent 17 1/2 games ahead in the standings, the Miami Heat gave themselves a chance Friday night. As did the Boston Celtics’ injury report. So against an opponent lacking ...Yahoo Sports - 2d
More from Yahoo Sports
-
Jaguars NFL draft: What did WR Tetairoa McMillan run at Arizona Pro Day?
Perhaps of interest to the Jacksonville Jaguars, what did Arizona WR Tetairoa McMillan run at his pro day?Yahoo Sports - 11m -
Rory McIlroy’s matchplay mind games flummox J.J. Spaun to win Players play-off
Rory McIlroy was described by his coach as “the complete player” after sealing his second Players Championship crown in a bloodless three-hole play-off against J.J. Spaun here at the Stadium Course ...Yahoo Sports - 1h -
Buffalo Bills LB Terrel Bernard changes jersey number
A new look for TB:Yahoo Sports - 16m -
Timpview star — and BYU commit — Jane Hedengren just set national records in 2 different events
Hedengren’s recent achievements add to her impressive résumé.Yahoo Sports - 18m -
Celtics Lab 310: On all-female broadcast crews and covering the Celtics with Abby Chin
Don't miss this special episode - and if you have ideas what Abby should use for a signature call (think Gorman's 'Got it!'), be sure to let us know.Yahoo Sports - 19m
More in Sports
-
Jaguars NFL draft: What did WR Tetairoa McMillan run at Arizona Pro Day?
Perhaps of interest to the Jacksonville Jaguars, what did Arizona WR Tetairoa McMillan run at his pro day?Yahoo Sports - 11m -
Antonio vows to return to football after car crash
West Ham United forward Michail Antonio has insisted he will play professional football again after he recovers from being involved in a near-fatal road traffic collision in December.ESPN - 13m -
Buffalo Bills LB Terrel Bernard changes jersey number
A new look for TB:Yahoo Sports - 16m -
Your guide to all 68 teams in the men’s NCAA tournament
The bracket is set, here's everything you need to know about the competitors for this year's national title.ESPN - 16m -
It's bracket time: Make your picks for the men's tournament
The bracket is set. Here's everything you need to know about the competitors for this year's national title.ESPN - 16m