Through a rollercoaster regular season, the Miami Heat trailing 72-33 at halftime to the Cleveland Cavaliers certainly felt like a fitting end to the season.
During the NBA on TNT halftime show, Charles Barkley claimed the Heat looked as if they had quit amid their 39-point deficit.
“I try to never use the words ‘quit’ or ‘choke’… this is quitting at it’s finest”
Chuck on the Heat at halftime 🫣 pic.twitter.com/vsrD4DeUwy
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) April 29, 2025
“Ernie, I try not to ever use the words quit or choke,” Barkley said. “I very seldom use them. This is quitting at its finest right here. I bet if we went to their house, all their stuff is already packed. Listen, you lost by 38 the last game. You can’t stay in Miami. You lost by 38, and you’re down 40 at halftime.”
Kenny Smith added the Heat looked as if they didn’t have anything significant to play for, which led to their sloppy play.
“I always felt that athletes always have to have something to look into or this happens,” Smith explained. “When it started out with the first three possessions and three turnovers in a row, then all of a sudden, the energy and effort left the team.”
The Heat faced their second consecutive first-round exit at the hands of a No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference. This is also the second playoff series without Jimmy Butler where the Heat have looked thoroughly outmatched. They have significant decisions to make in the offseason regarding the direction to take for their future.
MIAMI HEAT’S NIKOLA JOVIC MAKES NO EXCUSES AFTER LAPSES IN RETURN
Despite facing a 19-point deficit during several stretches, it is hard to ignore the Miami Heat had an opportunity to steal Game 2 against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Unfortunately, Nikola Jovic, during his first return to real playing time since his broken hand, had several rough stretches during clutch moments. He shared his thoughts about how his mistakes cost the Heat.
Nikola Jovic super hard on himself after some missed opportunities late tonight:
“The stuff I did at the end was really unacceptable. I really did cost us the game.”
“I just gotta be better. This is my third year, I’m not a rookie anymore.” pic.twitter.com/YPi92geXyq
— Brady Hawk (@BradyHawk305) April 24, 2025
“Yeah, I mean, I got what I wanted, and that’s to close the game in the playoffs,” Jovic explained. “The stuff I did at the end is really unacceptable. I really did cost us the game, and I just got to be better. This is my third year, and I’m not a rookie anymore. I’ve seen what’s the deal and how to get to the playoffs. The stuff I did today is just not good. I’m really grateful the coach got me the opportunity.”
Jovic finished with 11 points, eight rebounds, and two assists on 33.3 percent shooting and 12.5 percent from three-point range. It was evident the Heat missed their sixth man off the bench due to his size at 6-foot-10 and versatility as another ball handler on the perimeter. However, shooting 1 of 8 from the perimeter and a significant late turnover were damaging.
WHERE TYLER HERRO, BAM, ADEBAYO RANK AMONG MOST IMPACTFUL PLAYOFF PLAYERS
Miami Heat’s Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo may have missed out on most of the end-of-season awards, but their elite play earned them rankings as some of the best players in the playoffs.
ESPN place Herro and Adebayo among the top 50 most impactful players. Herro was ranked No. 43, as Tim Bontemps explains how his regular-season success needs to transfer to the playoffs for the Heat to have a chance against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Through 47 playoff games, Herro averages 14.4 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 3.3 assists on 41.3 percent shooting and 33.3 percent from three-point range.
“This was a breakthrough season for Herro, who made his first All-Star team and powered Miami through the play-in with back-to-back big games against Chicago and Atlanta,” Bontemps said. “For the Heat to have another surprise push from the play-in through the East playoffs, they’ll need Herro to continue to produce to keep up with the Cavaliers’ high-octane offense.”
Adebayo was ranked higher at No. 34, as Bontemps explained his strong finish to the regular season, both on offense and defense, will be crucial in helping the Heat pull off another upset against the Cavaliers. Through 75 playoff games, Adebayo averages 16.4 points, 9.1 rebounds, and 3.4 assists on 52.1 percent shooting and 14.3 percent from three-point range.
“Adebayo had a down season, particularly offensively, but a strong closing stretch again helped Miami reach the playoffs,” Bontemps said. “He also had a solid defensive effort in the play-in tournament as opponents went 8-25 (32%) on shots contested by the three-time All-Star. His hands will be full in the first round against Cleveland, as Miami will need its versatile center to be at his best if the Heat want to give the top-seeded Cavaliers a challenge.”
Bryan Townes is a contributor to Miami Heat On SI. He can be reached at btownesjr@gmail.com or on X @bryantownesjr11. Follow our coverage on Facebook
