Q: Ira, you level to Dewayne Dedmon as a playoff-rotation participant for the Heat to handle the rebounding. But final yr he was with the Heat after they had been crushed on the glass by the Bucks within the playoffs. — Wes.
A: But the Heat final yr additionally had been making an attempt to get by with Trevor Ariza because the beginning energy ahead and with much less collective rebounding. This season, Kyle Lowry offers assistance on the glass and there may be extra of a bunch mentality. But I do agree that there may grow to be some potential matchups the place Dewayne Dedmon is requested to step apart by way of smaller ball. If the Cavaliers, for instance, are with out Jarrett Allen, and even when Allen would go away the sport in such a matchup, there arguably may very well be higher choices than having Dewayne going out to the corners to defend Kevin Love or having to take care of the athleticism of Evan Mobley. So that would open it extra to Caleb Martin, which may in flip open it up extra for a further wing (Victor Oladipo?).
Q: How do you not play somebody who simply scored 40 factors? Doesn’t Erik Spoelstra must determine this out, and shortly? — Bob, Davie.
A: But, once more, as talked about on this area yesterday, Victor Oladipo’s 40-point efficiency in Sunday’s regular-season finale in Orlando got here in opposition to an opponent with the second-worst report within the NBA that largely was taking part in its second-team gamers. Then additionally think about that on closing evening, Victor’s 40 stood as simply the evening’s fifth-highest scoring complete, an evening when Obi Toppin scored 42 for the Knicks, Jalen Green 41 for the Rockets and Malik Monk 41 for the Lakers, with none of these three to seem within the playoffs. Yes, Vic’s efficiency was heartening. But he assuredly just isn’t beginning. And the Heat’s wing priorities within the playoffs are going to be Jimmy Butler, Kyle Lowry and Tyler Herro. So it’s not as if Vic will get to play as a quantity shooter or quantity scorer. And up to now, when Vic has been solid in a restricted function, it has led to uneven play by the Heat. This just isn’t concerning the participant or his perseverance. This is concerning the general crew scenario. Albeit, one that would change immediately on account of an harm or foul bother elsewhere on the roster.
Q: I’ve a foul feeling the No. 1 seed will probably be idiot’s gold and a first-round exit. Getting outrebounded by double digits, giving up plenty of factors, taking part in Duncan Robinson over extra expert guys, these things catches as much as a crew ultimately. — Jon.
A: The Heat assuredly should be their finest selves within the postseason. But when they’re, they arrange favorably in virtually many matchup. Every groups has its warts. The key, given the additional time for preparation within the playoffs, is to reduce these parts. The Heat actually didn’t do this with their rebounding in final season’s sweep by the hands of the Bucks. We’ll see now if the warts will be resolved this time round.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com