NBA: Heat seeking 2nd win this week against spiraling Nets

With 20 games left in the regular season, the Miami Heat are fighting to secure a top-six spot in the Eastern Conference and avoid the play-in round.

On Thursday night, Miami will look for its third straight win—and second in three nights—against the visiting Brooklyn Nets. The Heat dominated the first matchup on Tuesday, defeating Brooklyn 124-98.

"I like the pressure," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. "We need the pressure to kick us into another gear."

Entering Wednesday, Miami was just a half-game behind sixth-place Philadelphia 76ers, highlighting how crucial every remaining game will be.

"There will be a lot of emotions in these games," Spoelstra added. "We have a lot of competitors in our locker room, and I'm banking on that bringing out their best. We have a high-powered offense and a defense that can be as good as anyone, but we have to put it together in the moments of truth."

Tyler Herro, who has missed 45 games this season due to injuries, is expected to play a key role moving forward. The 2024-25 All-Star, a career 38.2% shooter from three-point range, is currently making just 36.3% from deep. Spoelstra described that missing accuracy as "the final piece" for Herro to return to form.

"I trust Tyler because of all the work he puts in," Spoelstra said. "He adds so much to our offense with his creativity and shot-making. Once he gets the 3-ball, it's going to take us to another level."

Meanwhile, the Nets are enduring a nine-game losing streak, the longest active skid in the NBA. They have struggled on the road, with a 7-24 record, compared to Miami's 19-11 at home. Brooklyn is 0-2 against the Heat this season.

The Nets, last in the league in scoring at 106.8 points per game, are just 1-39 when trailing after three quarters and have gone 5-27 since December 29. Their 15 wins through 61 games mark the lowest total for the franchise since the 2016-17 season.

Brooklyn’s rebuilding phase is evident in its roster, which includes seven rookies who have started a combined 83 games. Nolan Traore has been a standout among them, starting 16 consecutive games and averaging 8.4 points, 3.6 assists, and 2.0 turnovers. Traore was one of Brooklyn’s NBA-record five first-round picks in 2025, alongside Egor Demin, Ben Saraf, Drake Powell, and Danny Wolf.

The Nets also have six players aged 21 or younger, including 2023 first-rounder Noah Clowney. In Tuesday’s loss, Traore and Saraf combined for 20 points but also totaled 12 turnovers and just four assists.

"The exciting part is I know they can be better," Nets coach Jordi Fernandez said. "They just have to learn and continue to grow."

Brooklyn will also rely on veteran Michael Porter Jr., who was held to nine points on 3-of-17 shooting on Tuesday, missing all nine of his three-point attempts. For the season, Porter leads the Nets in scoring with 24.1 points per game and is shooting 36.7% from behind the arc.

-Field Level Media/Reuters