Observations and different notes of curiosity from Monday night time’s 112-108 loss to the Denver Nuggets:
– For a summer season night, this arrange fairly effectively.
– For a winter night, not a lot.
– Jamaree Bouyea working the purpose in key second-half minutes, together with beginning the fourth quarter.
– Orlando Robinson taking important minutes within the center.
– Haywood Highsmith anchoring the second unit.
– It’s the stuff of Vegas in July.
– This was Miami in February.
– Shorthanded by design amid luxury-tax considerations and additional depleted by damage, this was not precisely what you need to roll out in opposition to the very best workforce within the Western Conference.
– Erik Spoelstra had no alternative.
– The Heat had 10 gamers out there Monday night time.
– Only two had been drafted.
– Jimmy Butler.
– And Bam Adebayo.
– Which places a heck of a premium on coronary heart and hustle.
– Put it this manner, the Heat closed the third quarter with a lineup of Max Strus, Gabe Vincent, Bouyea, Robinson and Highsmith.
– Health can’t come quickly sufficient.
– Neither can the buyout market.
– Or the All-Star break.
– Because this isn’t sustainable.
– With Tyler Herro out, Strus once more moved into the Heat beginning lineup.
– It was Strus’ twenty sixth begin in his 56 appearances.
– That got here with Vincent once more beginning instead of sidelined Kyle Lowry.
– Vincent’s fifth consecutive begin.
– The different Heat starters had been Adebayo, Butler and Caleb Martin.
– It was the Heat’s twentieth beginning lineup.
– Orlando Robinson performed because the Heat’s first reserve.
– Followed by Highsmith and Bouyea.
– Adebayo’s third free throw moved him previous Glen Rice for eighth place on the Heat all-time record.
– Butler’s sixth free throw moved him previous Andre Miller 76th on the NBA all-time record.
– Even with Denver shorthanded, Spoelstra went in with ample respect for the Nuggets and MVP heart Nikola Jovic.
– “We respect their game,” Spoelstra mentioned. “There’s instant respect for their offensive attack, and particularly with Jokic and his passing ability. It’s just really unique.”
– The Heat now are usually not residence once more till a March 1 recreation in opposition to the 76ers.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com