The Miami Heat had a rough week.

This week, the Heat slipped to No. 14 in the NBA power rankings. Last week, they were No. 9.

The Jimmy Butler trade saga reached its tipping point when Butler revealed playing in Miami ruined his joy for the game lately. The team issued a seven-game suspension to Butler for his actions. Following his comments, the Heat had their worst loss of the season Saturday against the Utah Jazz, losing by 36 points at home.

In an article posted to NBA.com, a takeaway on the team’s play was described. Here’s what longtime writer John Schuhmann wrote:

“Butler returned for two games and registered a usage rate of just 13.2% (ninth on the team) as the Heat split games against the Pelicans and Pacers”, the article said. “He didn’t play in the fourth quarter either night and then said that he doesn’t think he can rediscover his on-court ‘joy’ in Miami. So the Heat suspended him for seven games (through their six-game trip that begins Monday) and said they’d listen to trade offers.”

Schuhmann also added, “Butler’s teammates’ response was their worst loss of the season, a game in which they trailed the Jazz by 43 points. They’re now 5-6 without Butler and have been outscored by 2.2 points per 100 possessions in his 678 total minutes off the floor.”

The Heat are 17-16. They sit with the No. 6 seed in the Eastern Conference. They remain two games back from the No. 4 seed Orlando Magic. They are 13 games back from the No. 1 seed, held by the Cleveland Cavaliers.

With the Butler trade rumors looming over the organization, the Heat are set to embark on a six-game road trip. They will play four of those games this week. The team starts the week Monday with a back-to-back in Sacramento and Golden State. Thursday, the team travels to Utah before rounding out the week in Portland on Saturday.

Sean Jordan is a contributor to Miami Heat On Sports Illustrated. He can be reached at sjorda06@syr.edu.

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MIAMI – Florida ranks second in the nation for confirmed norovirus outbreaks, according to new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The highly contagious virus, often referred to as the “stomach bug,” is spreading rapidly this season, particularly in crowded settings like cruise ships.

“Norovirus is a highly infectious virus that causes nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea,” said Dr. Celine Gounder, an infectious disease specialist. “This is the time of year we typically see norovirus cases peak, especially in the winter, with all the traveling.”

Between Sept. 1, 2023, and Oct. 31, 2024, Florida reported 24 confirmed norovirus outbreaks, the second highest in the nation, according to the CDC.

Cruise ships were among the hardest hit, with 16 outbreaks reported in 2024 alone. Five of those occurred in December, sickening 890 passengers and crew members.

“I wish I would have known before we went,” said Tamara Holmes, who recently returned from a holiday cruise. “We took precautions: washing our hands, trying to keep a safe distance from everybody as best as we could.”

Monica Greidinger, preparing for a flight at Miami International Airport, advised fellow travelers to take extra precautions. “If you’re sick, don’t travel,” she told CBS News Miami. “I suggest going back to basics, wearing face masks-that’s all we can do.”

However, experts warn that masks alone may not prevent norovirus infections. “The most important thing is to wash your hands,” said Dr. Gounder.

“Alcohol-based sanitizers don’t work well for this virus. It’s also critical to sanitize food preparation areas and any surfaces that could be contaminated.”

There is no specific treatment for norovirus, which typically lasts one to three days.

Doctors recommend that infected individuals stay home, rest, and hydrate with water to recover.

MIAMI – A Miami man was arrested over the weekend after he cut his roommate’s ear with a scissor, authorities said.

According to an arrest report from the Miami Police Department, the incident occurred Saturday night.

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Police said the victim and suspect, Felipe Cobo Brito, 30, have lived together for a year.

According to the report, Cobo Brito admitted to police that he got into an argument with the victim about paying rent and moving out, but claimed that the victim grabbed him by his shirt as he was sitting on the bed and pulled him to the floor, causing him to scrape his knees.

Police said Cobo Brito repeatedly changed his story, however, going on to claim that he was sitting on the kitchen table when he was pulled to the floor and then that he was inside the bathroom when he was grabbed by the shirt and pulled.

According to the report, Cobo Brito claimed to not know how the victim’s right earlobe was cut.

Police said the victim told them he was by the front doorstep when Cobo Brito’s brother, Francisco Cobo, held his arms behind his back as Cobo Brito cut his ear with scissors.

The victim said he then went into the bathroom and laid on the floor as the brothers kicked him in the stomach while laughing.

According to the report, Cobo fled the scene before police arrived.

Cobo Brito, however, was arrested on a charge of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon.

As of Monday afternoon, he remained held at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center on a $7,500 bond.