Observations and different notes of curiosity from Saturday night time’s 126-114 extra time loss to the Orlando Magic:
– Yes, Jimmy Butler is a one-man band.
– Which says loads about Jimmy Butler because the All-Star break.
– He additionally has to really feel lonely on the prime of the scoring sheet.
– The supporting solid is properly paid, or at the very least shall be when Tyler Herro’s extension kicks in subsequent season to hitch Bam Adebayo on his extension.
– But it’s as if there may be nothing there when Butler isn’t in there.
– And the person definitely deserves his relaxation.
– With this one the second night time of a back-to-back.
– With three extra Heat back-to-back units to comply with.
– Kyle Lowry was imagined to be the sidekick in stardom.
– That by no means occurred.
– Adebayo was trending that manner.
– Then got here the All-Star break.
– As for Herro, the final word streak-scoring ingredient, maybe.
– But not essentially a No. 2 on an elite crew.
– So Butler or bust.
– Attacking.
– Relentlessly.
– With all of it wanted.
– And nonetheless not sufficient.
– Through no fault of his personal.
– So maybe becoming he walks off the court docket earlier than it was over.
– He couldn’t have finished extra.
– After beginning in his earlier 677 appearances, Lowry performed as a reserve in his return from his 15-game absence with knee soreness, with Gabe Vincent once more beginning at level guard.
– The Heat beginning lineup once more was rounded out with Adebayo, Kevin Love, Butler and Herro.
– Inactive for the Heat had been Caleb Martin, Duncan Robinson in addition to Orlando Robinson and Nikola Jovic, who each are on G League task.
– Martin was scratched earlier within the day with knee soreness.
– Duncan Robinson is in NBA health-and-safety protocols, which seemingly will proceed to have him out.
– The Magic opened with Markelle Fultz, Gary Harris, Franz Wagner, Paolo Banchero, Wendell Carter Jr.
– Victor Oladipo performed because the Heat’s first reserve.
– Lowry then entered with 6:21 to play within the opening interval, after Butler was referred to as for his second foul.
– With Cody Zeller the Heat’s third reserve.
– But after Zeller took a shot to his nostril, pressured to the locker room, Omer Yurtseven entered, his season debut after November ankle surgical procedure.
– With Max Strus making it 10 deep for the Heat on the second night time of the back-to-back.
– The Heat opened 1 of 9 on 3-pointers till Strus transformed his first try.
– Herro’s fifth level moved him previous Bimbo Coles for seventeenth on the Heat all-time listing.
– Butler’s third free throw moved him previous Robert Parish for 72nd on the NBA all-time listing.
– With his fourth help, Lowry tied Norris Cole for twenty fourth on the Heat all-time listing.
– Lowry’s first steal was the 1,four-hundredth of his profession.
– Strus’ fourth 3-point try tied Kelly Olynyk for thirteenth on the Heat all-time listing.
– Heat coach Erik Spoelstra mentioned the time was proper for Lowry’s return.
– “He’s worked very diligently behind the scenes to prepare for this,” he mentioned. “And I’m excited to have him back in the mix. We could use another spark right now, during the stretch run.”
– Asked pregame concerning the play-in match from a league-wide perspective, Spoelstra mentioned the truth that it retains the league aggressive is a optimistic flip.
– “Seemingly it’s been a really good thing from the competitive standpoint around the league,” he mentioned. “I can’t really point to a lot of other things to show that less teams are tanking. I don’t know.”
– He added, “If you’re anywhere near the play-in, you might as well go for it, because you’re going to get that feeling of real competitive playoff basketball. So I think it’s all good for the league.”
– He additionally famous the way it has its benefits for a youthful crew such because the Magic, who stay on the perimeter of the play-in race.
– “Anytime you have games that have meaning, context, consequences and where you have to learn how to play winning basketball, I think is good for any young team,” he mentioned, “and where you’re not gifted minutes that don’t mean anything.”
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Source: www.bostonherald.com
