The Miami Heat Are Losing What Made Them Dangerous

The Miami Heat have built their identity around toughness, defensive intensity, and holding opponents accountable. Those qualities have defined the franchise for years, but through the first seven games of the 2026-27 NBA season, the team has struggled to uphold those standards with the Heat’s disastrous start . Miami’s 138-117 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday was another painful example. The Lakers shot 57.3% from the field, knocked down 19 3-pointers, and scored 79 points in the first half. Luka Dončić finished with 42 points, while Austin Reaves added 27.