The heyday of South Beach basketball was during LeBron James’ four years with the Miami Heat. Given that they won two rings and advanced to the NBA Finals four times in a row, there is really little question about it. However, LeBron’s tenure with the Heat ended up being shorter than anticipated. After four years, he would depart and return to the Cleveland Cavaliers, where he continued to win championships.
LeBron’s career will be remembered most for his victory with the Cavaliers, who defeated the 73-win Golden State Warriors in the Finals after falling behind 3-1. But if he had remained with the Heat, would he have won more titles overall? Pat Riley seems to think so, at least.
The NBA legend seems to think that Miami had a team that had a chance to win five or six rings. Riley stated on ‘The OGs’ podcast: “It didn’t upset me, but it hurt me that we couldn’t keep that team together,” according to The Score. since I believe it was a team that won five or six titles.If we could have kept them all together and remained healthy from that perspective, I genuinely believe it. However, the game’s nature is what it is.
Naturally, it’s never easy to foresee what might have happened. Many people think LeBron made the correct decision in leaving Miami at the appropriate time.
Dwyane Wade was no longer among the NBA’s top players and was nearing the end of his playing days. Sadly, Chris Bosh’s health problems would soon force him to retire.
Furthermore, LeBron would still have had to contend with the Warriors, a basketball powerhouse that defined a generation, even if he had remained in Miami. In their heyday, were Steph Curry, Kevin Durant, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green too good for the Heat’s Big Three?
Tonight, the Heat might be missing a key contributor.
The Miami Heat might be without forward Kevin Love tonight as they face the Toronto Raptors. Love is listed as questionable due to a back injury. Here’s the complete injury report:
Injury Report
Heat:
- Jimmy Butler: Probable (Back)
- Josh Christopher: Out (G League)
- Kevin Love: Questionable (Back)
- Duncan Robinson: Probable (Glute)
- Terry Rozier: Probable (Foot)
- Keshad Johnson: Out (G League)
Raptors:
- Bruce Brown: Out (Conditioning)
- Gradey Dick: Out (Calf)
- Kelly Olynyk: Out (Back)
- Immanuel Quickley: Out (Elbow)
Game Preview:
- Time: 8 PM ET
- Location: Kaseya Center, Miami
- TV Broadcast: FanDuel Sports Network
- Betting Line: Heat -6.5
Matchup Notes:
This is the first of three regular-season meetings between the Heat and Raptors and also Miami’s fourth NBA Cup game. The teams will meet again on Sunday in Toronto, marking the second of three instances this season where Miami plays back-to-back games against the same opponent. Last season, the Heat won the series 3-1. Miami holds an all-time 62-42 record against Toronto, including 37-17 at home and 25-25 on the road.
Projected Starters:
Heat:
- G: Jimmy Butler
- G: Tyler Herro
- C: Bam Adebayo
- F: Haywood Highsmith
- F: Duncan Robinson
Raptors:
- F: R.J. Barrett
- F: Ochai Agbaji
- C: Jakob Poeltl
- G: Ja’Kobe Walter
- G: Scottie Barnes
Quotable:
Heat center Bam Adebayo on Terry Rozier adapting to a reserve role:
“He’s doing what he usually does. He’s being Terry, he’s being himself. He’s playing basketball. That’s what happens when you see the ball go in a couple of times.”
