| LEBRONJAMES | 2012-2013 season NBA MVP from the Heat: 2 wds. |
| KEVINDURANT | 2013-2014 season NBA MVP from the Thunder: 2 wds. |
| SHAQUILLEONEAL | Basketball player whose jersey number was retired by the Lakers and the Heat: 2 wds. |
| STEPH | With 30-Across, 2014-2015 season NBA MVP from the Warriors |
| DRINK | With 42-Across, way to beat the heat #2 |
| LOGGINS | Three-time Brisbane Bullets NBL MVP from the 1980s (7) |
| UDONISHASLEM | Power forward and oldest active player in the NBA who is playing his 20th season with the Miami Heat: 2 wds. |
| MICHAELJORDAN | His #23 was retired by the Chicago Bulls and the Miami Heat: 2 wds. |
| WHITEHOT | Glowing from intense heat (2 wds) |
| DEANDREJORDAN | Center who has led the NBA in field goal percentage every season since 2012-2013, with the Clippers: 2 wds. |
| ASWARM | ___ as toast (moderate heat): 2 wds. |
| MAHOMES | Patrick ___ quarterback from the 2020 Super Bowl-winning team Kansas City Chiefs who is the MVP from Super Bowl LIV |
| NCIS | Procedural that was the top-rated show of the 2012-2013 TV season |
| JAMES | 2012, 2013 and 2016 NBA Finals MVP; youngest player to reach 30,000 regularseason points and all-time leading scorer in NBA history (6,5) |
| LEBRON | 2012, 2013 and 2016 NBA Finals MVP; youngest player to reach 30,000 regularseason points and all-time leading scorer in NBA history (6,5) |
| HOWLEY | Only Super Bowl MVP from a losing team |
| SWELTER | How Lew and the rest suffer from the heat (7) |
| SWELTERS | That's right, Leslie - in the West one suffers from the heat (8) |
| DEESCALATE | Tail off dace and eels cooked over half heat (2-8) |
| YULELOG | *Either dessert or source of heat (2 words) |
