Observations and different notes of curiosity from Friday night time’s 122-120 loss to the New York Knicks:
– This was a wanted signal of life.
– Even if not the wanted victory.
– Needed after permitting 70 factors within the first half in consecutive video games for the primary time within the franchise’s 35 seasons.
– After falling behind by 17.
– After popping out so listless that a minimum of Ron Rothstein questioned the Heat’s first-half play throughout his televised halftime phase.
– No, the top outcome didn’t assist.
– The Heat’s sixth loss of their final seven video games.
– And it solely will get more durable from right here.
– A loss Saturday to visiting Atlanta now would drop the Heat to No. 8 within the East, seeding for a highway sport within the play-in spherical.
– But at the very least there was the nice battle.
– More of which can be wanted.
– As effectively as a win or two or a number of.
– Also what can be wanted is extra of a bench enhance, so it doesn’t should be Jimmy Butler, Tyler Herro, Bam Adebayo or bust.
– When it got here to bolstering the Feb. 9 NBA buying and selling deadline, the Knicks added Jason Hart.
– The Heat sat idle.
– Which has made life significantly extra advanced for Erik Spoelstra’s workforce.
– Friday was one other instance of working with a restricted help system.
– But it has reached the purpose the place the non-Butler, non-Adebayo minutes are harrowing.
– Because the help system isn’t there.
– And it’s not as if a Kyle Lowry return modifications that calculus with Gabe Vincent returning to the bench.
– With Vincent once more off on this one.
– And with Victor Oladipo having misplaced his footing.
– The Heat might have added wing depth.
– But as a substitute went for Kevin Love and Cody Zeller.
– Both have had their moments.
– But neither provides the kind of sixth-man explosiveness the Heat have lacked this season.
– The sort Immanuel Quickley provided Friday night time for the Knicks.
– To his credit score, Caleb Martin did his half off the Heat bench.
– But that was about it for Heat bench enhance.
– Listed as questionable earlier within the day on account of knee ache, Butler was accessible and within the beginning lineup.
– With that first 5 rounded out by Adebayo, Love, Herro and Vincent.
– That lineup now could be 1-4.
– Lowry once more was out (knee), with Spoelstra confirming Lowry additionally will miss Saturday’s residence sport in opposition to the Hawks.
– Lowry has not performed since Feb. 3.
– The Heat once more listed Orlando Robinson as inactive, leaving him at 4 NBA days on his two-way contract.
– It effectively could possibly be that Robinson stays inactive so long as Zeller stays accessible and productive.
– Meanwhile, Omer Yurtseven was within the beginning lineup Friday for the Sioux Falls Skyforce, his first sport motion for the reason that preseason, the return coming within the wake of November ankle surgical procedure.
– Oladipo performed because the Heat’s first reserve.
– Max Strus adopted.
– And then Caleb Martin.
– With Zeller making it 9 deep.
– Butler’s sixth free throw moved him previous Alonzo Mourning for 73rd on the NBA all-time record.
– Butler’s second free-throw try moved him previous Larry Foust for 93rd on the NBA all-time record.
– Butler’s second steal tied Carmelo Anthony for 89th on the NBA all-time record.
– Herro’s first defensive rebound was the 1,000th of his profession.
– Herro’s fifth 3-pointer was the 550th of his profession.
– Love’s first shot was the 11,000th of his profession.
– Love’s first 3-pointer tied him with former Heat guard Tim Hardaway for forty first on the NBA all-time record.
– Zeller’s first offensive rebound was the 1,000th of his profession.
– Strus’ first help was the 250th of his profession.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com