Washington-wizards vs Miami Heat Picks and Predictions March 31st 2025

Heat Fight to Maintain Play-In Spot Against Wizards

The Miami Heat are on a mission to secure a spot in the NBA Play-In Tournament, and they’ll look to extend their impressive winning streak when they face the Washington Wizards on Monday night at Capital One Arena. After enduring a tough 10-game losing streak, the Heat (33-41) have turned things around, winning four games in a row, which ranks as the third-longest active streak in the NBA. With just two more victories, they could lock in a place in the Play-In Tournament.

Miami Heat’s Playoff Push

For a team that has faced major setbacks throughout the season—including the trade of star Jimmy Butler in February—the Heat’s recent performance has been nothing short of remarkable. The team has rallied behind coach Erik Spoelstra’s leadership and is determined to keep their Play-In hopes alive. Miami’s focus has now shifted to winning games one by one, aiming to continue their momentum through the rest of the season.

“Our guys love to compete,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said following their recent win against the Philadelphia 76ers. “We all felt alive. We felt alive from the competition and the challenge and how frustrating it was. When you’re in those circumstances, you can also feel dead, but that’s not the case with this group. Guys are having fun with the competition, and having these games mean something again.”

The Heat are well aware that, despite the struggles they’ve faced throughout the season, they can still make a playoff push. With their recent turnaround, they’ve shown resilience and determination, and this is a crucial time for them to prove their worth.

Tyler Herro: The Spark Behind Miami’s Surge

The key to Miami’s resurgence has been the red-hot play of Tyler Herro. Over the last four games, Herro has averaged impressive numbers: 30, 36, 20, and 29 points, respectively. His scoring has been pivotal to the team’s success, and he’s been playing with a calm and patience that has allowed him to thrive on the court.

“Tyler is playing so patiently without the ball, and the game is really slowing down for him,” Coach Spoelstra said. “He’s a handful, and guys are getting more comfortable getting him the ball when he’s on the move. I love it. I love what he’s doing.”

Herro’s recent play has been a reminder of his potential, and it has energized the team. His ability to impact games in multiple ways has made him one of the most dangerous players on the court, and he’s become a driving force for the Heat as they fight for their playoff lives.

Wizards Struggling, But Focusing on Development

On the other hand, the Washington Wizards (16-58) are in the midst of a miserable season and have struggled mightily, with just seven wins in their last 15 games. The team is all but eliminated from playoff contention and has shifted its focus to the future, particularly their NBA Draft odds. Washington is currently tied with the Utah Jazz and Charlotte Hornets for the best chance to land the No. 1 pick in the upcoming NBA Draft.

The Wizards’ defense has been a major issue this season, with the team allowing 162 points in a lopsided loss to the Indiana Pacers last week—the most points scored by any team in the NBA this season. The team also lost to the Brooklyn Nets on Saturday, 115-112, with a game-winning layup from Brooklyn’s Drew Timme with just 7.7 seconds remaining.

Despite the struggles, Wizards coach Brian Keefe continues to emphasize the positives. “We’re learning, we want to see these guys in different situations and see how they handle the pressure,” Keefe said after the tough loss to Brooklyn. “These end-of-game situations are great. They had a ton of things that they learned. The best thing was their resilience and toughness. I was real proud of these guys at the end.”

Keefe’s focus on player development and finding the silver linings in a tough season has kept the team motivated, and they are determined to finish the season strong, even if the wins aren’t coming easily.

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Young Players Showing Promise for Washington

Although the Wizards have struggled, a few young players have shown potential and given fans hope for the future. AJ Johnson, who the Wizards acquired in the Khris Middleton trade with Milwaukee, had a career-high 20 points in their loss to Brooklyn. Another young standout, 22-year-old guard Colby Jones, also added 20 points, impressing Coach Keefe with his competitiveness.

“I think what we’re learning about Colby is he’s a competitor,” Keefe said. “He comes up with loose balls, deflections, steals. He just makes winning plays. Those are the types of things we want to learn.”

Additionally, the Wizards’ No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, Alex Sarr, has been solid, scoring in double figures in nine of his last 10 games. His development is something Washington is focusing on as they look ahead to next season and beyond.

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Jordan Poole Closing in on Franchise Record

One notable achievement for the Wizards this season has been Jordan Poole’s three-point shooting. The guard has made 221 three-pointers this season, just two shy of Bradley Beal’s franchise record of 223 set in the 2016-17 season. Poole’s scoring ability from beyond the arc has been one of the few bright spots for Washington this year.

Heat vs. Wizards: Previous Matchups

Miami has already beaten Washington twice this season, including a 106-90 victory on March 3rd. With both teams heading in opposite directions, the Heat will look to extend their winning streak and stay in the playoff hunt, while the Wizards continue to focus on player development and securing a better position for the future. Miami knows that every game counts in their fight for a Play-In Tournament spot, and they will be ready to face a struggling Wizards team with an eye on the postseason.

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The Heat’s four-game winning streak has been fueled by their star players, especially Tyler Herro, but they will need to keep their momentum going if they hope to earn a spot in the Play-In Tournament. With Washington continuing to rebuild, Miami should be heavily favored to get the win and move one step closer to securing a playoff berth.