Norman Powell reveals the difference between playing for Miami, the Clippers

MIAMI – S Nikola Jović highlights the victory of the Miami Heat over the Portland Trail Blazers on Saturday night, 136-131, was another player who continued what has been an impressive rookie season Norman Powell. As it is The Heat are running a new offense this seasonemphasizing the fast pace, Powell talks about the difference between this system and that of the Los Angeles Clippers.

Through 10 games, Miami leads the entire NBA with 106.95 possessions per 48 minutes, a stark contrast for Powell compared to the Clippers, who have ranked around the top 10 in the statistic over the past four seasons. When Powell was initially mentioned, the Heat’s intent to run an up-tempo offense, relying more on a free-flowing model and cutting back on pick-and-roll actions, the veteran was “excited.”

“I was excited. You know, it’s a little bit different for me when I’ve experienced the last three and a half years that I’ve been with the Clippers, you know, I’ve been playing to the end every time, getting guys in their spots and attacking turnovers,” Powell said. “And this one is really just playing in the flow, playing with each other, playing from closing. I think that, for me, plays to my game and my strength. When the ball is swinging and the defense is moving, I’m able to catch and go, catch and shoot, and make reads on the other side of the floor.”

Norman Powell said he was “excited” when he first heard the Heat would be a fast-paced, free-flowing offense compared to his years with the Clippers, as he talks about the differences: #HeatNation pic.twitter.com/cI9jkVkTK6

— Zachary Weinberger (@ZachWeinberger) November 9, 2025

For Powell, he has excelled so far in Miami, averaging 23.3 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game while shooting 46.7 percent from the field and 46.2 percent from the field. He was instrumental in getting the team going in the first quarter, giving the team explosiveness with his quick pace.

The Heat is Norman Powell on how the new offense amps everything up

Although it is Heat misses Bam Adebayo in new attackmissing the last two games with a toe injury, the team won those contests, with everyone embracing a new offensive philosophy. Miami has played like Los Angeles the past few seasons, ranking among the slowest in pace, with a coaching staff that wanted a change.

It’s worked out great so far, with the team averaging 124.1 points per game (second in the NBA), even though they’re 13th in offensive rating. Still, it led to big seasons for Powell, Jaime Jaquez Jr., and many others.

“And I think everybody’s locked in because every single play, everybody’s live. So you can bounce me, you can take me out, but it just opens up space on the floor for other guys to attack and get into the paint and wear down the defense,” Powell said. “I think it keeps opposing teams off balance because we don’t run a set play that you can plan every time you go down. It’s ball movement, body movement and it’s a lot of fun. You know, it empowers guys like Niko (Jovic), Jaime (Jaquez), to pick up the ball and be the initiator and attack, and guys to play against them.”

The Heat look to keep the momentum going on Monday when the team takes on the Cleveland Cavaliers.