Game story:
The Miami Heat are getting healthier and it’s leading to getting more wins. Miami has won three games in a row, four of their last five and seven of their last 10. After an Indiana Pacers loss last night, the Heat have moved into the Eastern Conference sixth seed.
They are just 2.0 games back of the fifth seed New York Knicks and 2.5 games back of the fourth seed Orlando Magic.
These tight standings updates have made tonight’s Heat matchup even bigger. They will host the Philadelphia 76ers, who are just 1.5 games behind Miami and sitting at the eighth seed. A win this evening will give the Heat some much needed breathing room and earn some revenge from the loss in Philly a couple weeks ago.
In that game, Kyle Lowry finished with 16 points and was a key factor into the 76ers getting the win. He looked engaged and motivated, but will now play his first game in Miami since being traded in February for Terry Rozier.
Lowry was bought out by Rozier’s former team, the Charlotte Hornets, and then picked up for the veteran minimum by Philly. He has instilled lots of leadership and savvy play for the 76ers in his new role.
That Rozier/Lowry swap has proved to be a massive win for the Heat. Rozier has gotten more comfortable and confident in his shot as the games have gone by. He is coming off his best performance so far as a member of the Heat in the last win against the Knicks on Tuesday. The lethal scoring guard dropped 34 points, 5 rebounds and 8 three’s. He shot 72.7% from 3-point range.
Rozier averages in the last 3 games (Heat 3-0):
- 27.7 PPG
- 4.0 RPG
- 3.7 APG
- 57% FG
- 59% 3P
- 100% FT
Miami is now getting the Rozier as advertised when acquired from the Hornets. Adding another natural born hooper of his caliber to an NBA Finals team is a difference maker and needle mover… most importantly, his impact is now leading to wins.
However, Heat fans will have to wait a little longer to see a glimpse of that Rozier/Tyler Herro backcourt pairing again as Herro is the lone rotation player listed as out.
There hasn’t been much updates regarding Herro’s progress with his foot injury, but he was seen back on the practice floor for his “ramp up” a week ago. The expectation is still that he will be returning by some point before the end of the regular season or at the very least, beginning of postseason.
Jimmy Butler missed this morning’s shootaround for personal reasons but is expected to be available this evening. The 76ers core guys in Joel Embiid (fresh off a lengthy injury return himself), Tobias Harris and Tyrese Maxey are all listed as questionable.
Injury Report (at the time of this publishing):
Miami Heat:
- Jimmy Butler (personal reasons) — PROBABLE
- Tyler Herro (foot) — OUT
- Josh Richardson (surgery) — OUT
- Alondes Williams (g league) — OUT
- Orlando Robinson (g league) — OUT
- Cole Swider (g league) — OUT
Philadelphia 76ers:
- Tobias Harris (knee) — QUESTIONABLE
- Joel Embiid (knee) — QUESTIONABLE
- Tyrese Maxey (hip) — QUESTIONABLE
- Mo Bamba (illness) — QUESTIONABLE
- Robert Covington (knee) — OUT
- De’Anthony Melton (back) — OUT
- Terquavion Smith (g league) — OUT
- Ricky Council (g league) — OUT
- Jeff Dowtin Jr (g league) — OUT
Projected Starting 5 (subject to change):
Miami Heat:
- Terry Rozier, G
- Duncan Robinson, G
- Jimmy Butler, F
- Nikola Jovic, F
- Bam Adebayo, C
Philadelphia 76ers:
- Kyle Lowry, G
- Tyrese Maxey, G
- Kelly Oubre, F
- Tobias Harris, F
- Joel Embiid, C
Betting Lines:
- Check the current odds out at FanDuel!
Broadcast Info:
- Tipoff: 7:30 PM EST
- TV: Bally Sports Sun (Eric Reid, John Crotty)
- Radio: AM 560 Sports WQAM & The HEAT Radio Network (Jason Jackson)
- Spanish Radio: WAQI 710 AM & The HEAT Spanish Radio Network (José Pañeda)
Come back to Hot Hot Hoops at game time to join our GameThread and chat about the game live with other Heat fans!
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Crazy question. What if its a three-way or even four-way tie between 5-8 spots? Who gets what? We’ll know by the next 2 weeks. For now, Go Heat! Get that W this game (and hopefully all their remaining lol).
No time for losing games.
Lets kick some asses.
…and take names.
Interesting postseason move ideas if things don’t go well. Time will tell.
GO HEAT!!!
https://allucanheat.com/posts/4-trade-scenarios-heat-prepare-offseason?utm_campaign=FanSided+Daily&utm_source=FanSided+Daily&utm_medium=email&sc=e0273490fd355e2c28bdb25751d41af65a4dd80936ff00a80be9866c97887955
Not sure on some of the ideas in the article. To start with the gorilla in the room, there is no proposed Butler trade. Imo, as noted previously, if the Heat don’t win it all this season, a Butler trade needs to be on the table.
Next is the proposal to trade Martin. If Martin opts out of his option, the Heat will no longer have him under contract and, thus, can’t trade him, unless some type of sign and trade deal can be made. He will be a free agent.
I really like the idea of Tyus Jones. But Rozier is clearly a starting level player who is best with the ball in his hands. He is not a pure catch and shoot guy. So, either Jones or Rozier come off the bench (doesn’t make sense to me) or you trade Rozier (definitely doesn’t make sense to me).
I will address the Mitchell scenario next…
rozier much better player than tyus jones.caleb martin wont bring u back squat.need a sun man pf /c 2 wayer.my ultimate guy would be nick vucevic.chi gonna tear it down
I didn’t say I agreed with the article. The last part was interesting. The first thing I thought of was Butler for Mitchell, not Butler AND Mitchell.
Exactly. Some interpret things differently from what was said or meant.
Mitchell scenario will be the next Dame story. If or when Heat make it to at least ECF dude might ask for trade to Miami (again) and Cavs fans will be the next fan base hating us (again).
Mitchell for Butler works for me and Herro for PF/C.
Here is a partial quote from the article:
”On one hand, the Heat can approach this situation from the perspective of pursuing Donovan themselves. With his dynamic scoring and playmaking ability, Mitchell could be an excellent co-star for Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo.
And on the other hand, Miami can begin to think about what will happen if Donovan leaves Cleveland and does not join the Heat. His departure from the Cavs would be a big shake-up to the balance of power in the East, and would open up even more avenues for the Heat to rise back to the top of the conference next season.”
Mitchell has one more season under contract with an opt out clause the following season. The Cavs are not obliged to trade him, but it would be wise to do so considering the haul they would get for him. However, the last sentence is nonsensical. IF Mitchell was traded to the Knicks, how in the world would that open “avenues for the Heat to rise back to the top of the conference next season.”??? A Knicks team with Mitchell AND Brunson puts the Heat in a better position? Pass that pipe this way so I can see that more clearly.
Mitchell for Butler.
If we’re voting, my hand is up very high for sure!
This is as big a game as we have played this season and yet the next one might be even bigger. I am of the expectation everyone listed as questionable will be in the line-up for Philly. This is going to be a real test. We need our A games from our best players.
Actually, the next two games are big (Houston tomorrow and Indiana Sunday). Both Rockets and Heat will be playing back-to-back. Indiana (43-34) will play OKC tomorrow before Sunday’s showdown for 6th place. After Sunday, Pacers close the season with Raptors and Cavs. Heat (42-33) will close the season with Hawks, Mavs and Raptors twice. Things should get very interesting.
GO HEAT!!!