Why Heat are in a familiar position through 30 games - Hot Hot Hoops

The Miami Heat are in a pretty familiar position than they were a year ago for more reasons than one. (Mandatory Credit: Megan Briggs/Getty Images)

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While it wasn’t exactly formal, exactly one year ago today, Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler not-so-subtly requested a trade away from the organization. The relationship between and the organization continued to deteriorate over the next several weeks, which ultimately led to him being moved in early February to Golden State.

While Miami fell apart down the stretch without its former star, its start to 2025-26 was much more encouraging. However, a recent drought has led it to be in more familiar territory than it was a year ago.

How the 2025-26 Miami Heat and 2024-25 Heat are similar:

Through the 30-game mark, the Heat are currently 15-15, good enough for the No. 8 seed in the East. They are sandwiched between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Hawks and Bulls, who are tied for the No. 9 seed.

Last year, the Heat was 16-14 through 30 games. But if you peel back the curtain, there’s more than just one similarity.

This year through 30 games vs. last year:

ORTG: 113.7 ORTG (18th) this year vs. 112.4 ORTG (12th) in ’24-25

DRTG: 112.5 (7th) vs. 110.4 (10th)

NET Rating: 1.2 (13th) v. 2.0 (10th)

TRB%: 48.8 (23rd) v. 49.5 (20th)

TOV%: 13.5 (6th) v. 13.7 (8th)

3P%: 36.7 (8th) v. 37.3 (7th)

eFG%: 54.0 (17th) vs. 53.5 (20th)

Lots of similarities, even with Norman Powell instead of Jimmy Butler (and Terry Rozier). Injuries to Tyler Herro and, most recently, Pelle Larsson, haven’t helped, either.

Perhaps the biggest discrepancy is their pace. Though Miami’s pace over the last nine games has regressed. Miami also has the same amount of wins against teams that are top-10 in NET (3) as it did last year, but in five more games.

The Heat enters a difficult part of their schedule with the Hawks, Nuggets, Pistons and Timberwolves making up five of their next seven games. Do you think they can get back on track?!

Why Heat are in a familiar position through 30 games – Hot Hot Hoops

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