Tyler Herro
Getty
The return of Tyler Herro to the Miami Heat's starting lineup has brought new issues with the team's chemistry.
For the second straight game, a full-strength Miami Heat team lost in a blowout, falling 123-99 to the Indiana Pacers on January 10.
All-Star guard Tyler Herro returned to the starting lineup for the first time in 12 games. Despite having a full-strength starting lineup, chemistry issues caused the Heat to struggle on both sides of the ball.
“It’s a process. This is the third game we’ve been fully healthy for the season,” Bam Adebayo said. “It’s going to take some time. Guys in and out of the lineup, plug and play, we are trying to figure it out. Hopefully, we stay healthy and get through this bump and get back to winning some games.”
The Pacers entered the game with a 7-31 record and last place in the Eastern Conference, but dominated the game. The Heat trailed by as much as 29 and never held a lead.
As the Heat continue to play games at full strength, the offense is expected to pick up and increase its production. Heat guard Norman Powell believes building chemistry should solve many of the starting lineup’s issues.
“We played a certain way for a while,” Powell said. “We had Pelle in the starting lineup. We went to the two big lineups playing games and playing off one another. Then another guy comes back in, Tyler, who’s a scorer and can really boost your offense and everybody has to adjust and figure it out. It’s not going to be as soon as everybody is healthy, we’re going to be clicking on all cylinders.”
Multiple Miami Heat Stars Were Missing in Action
Bam Adebayo
GettyMiami Heat’s Bam Adebayo is going through a continuing offensive slump.
Many of the Miami Heat’s struggles against the Indiana Pacers stemmed from their stars’ inability to score.
Norman Powell had his worst statistical game of the season, finishing with 6 points on 2-12 shooting.
It was Powell’s fewest points in a game he didn’t leave with an injury since January 2, 2025, when he finished with the same amount while playing for the Los Angeles Clippers.
Bam Adebayo continued his ongoing slump, finishing with just 13 points on 5-12 shooting and a team-low of -23.
Adebayo has finished with under 20 points in 10 straight games. It’s Adebayo’s longest streak without a 20-point game since going 11 straight games in January 2025.
Tyler Herro finished the game with 21 points, but struggled from three-point range, going 1-8 from long range. Herro and Powell combined to shoot 2-15 from three, while the Heat finished the game shooting 4-30 from three.
Miami Heat’s Sixth Man of the Year Award Candidate Returned to the Court
Jaime Jaquez Jr.
GettyJaime Jaquez Jr. returned for the Miami Heat from an ankle injury that sidelined him for two games.
In perhaps the only bright spot in the Miami Heat’s loss, Jaime Jaquez Jr. made his return to the rotation.
After missing two straight games with an ankle injury, Jaquez finished with 16 points, 7 rebounds and 2 assists in 25 minutes.
The Heat’s starting lineup showed issues with chemistry and scoring production, but Jaquez was still able to provide a spark off the bench as he’s done throughout the season.
Jaquez is now third in Sixth Man of the Year award odds at +700. He’s averaging 16.2 points, 5.3 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game. He also has the second-highest plus/minus on the team at +115.