Miami Heat set to face Washington Wizards in Mexico City game

Heat Wizards — Jimmy Butler is coming off a pedestrian 15-point outing in the Heat’s last loss against the Knicks. (Photo via NY Post)

The Miami Heat have traveled to Mexico City for a nationally televised matchup against the Washington Wizards. It will be the Heat’s second Mexico game in the last two years, and the highly anticipated international event has them in need of another bounce-back win.

Miami is coming off a loss to another East playoff contender in the New York Knicks. Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo put together another questionable outing. The star duo has yet to get any consistent rhythm going in their offensive games, especially Adebayo. He is averaging a career-low 11.0 points and 7.2 rebounds this season.

The Knicks loss was the worst performance than the already rough three games prior for the big man. He finished with just 11 points on 3/7 shooting and 3 rebounds. More importantly, he was scorched on the defensive end by Karl-Anthony Towns, who exploded for 44 points and 13 boards on route to a win.

When it comes to the Butler and Adebayo pairing putting together these underwhelming performances, it starts with their offensive activity. Anything less than 10 shot attempts from the top two players is not going to put the Heat in the best position to win. Butler took just nine attempts in the previous game, along with Adebayo taking seven. Look for their involvement in the offense to be raised, and they have a great chance to do so against a team like the Wizards to build momentum.

Washington comes into the night knotted with Miami in the standings at a 2-2 record, but one of their own top players in Kyle Kuzma will be sidelined due to injury. The Wizards are a young team that is going to look to push pace, although they struggle with shooting efficiency and defensive matchups. The Heat’s core four should have an individual edge against each of the Wizards starting unit.

As for Miami’s injury report, Duncan Robinson joins Kevin Love in being listed as out due to personal reasons. Without Robinson’s minutes, someone is going to have to step up in the second unit. The biggest option in that could come from the 3 and D Haywood Highsmith, who did not play in the last game due to coach’s decision.

Tip off is set for 7:30 PM EST on the new FanDuel Sports Network Sun with Eric Reid and John Crotty.

Injury Report (at the time of this publishing):

Miami Heat:

Kevin Love (personal) — OUT
Duncan Robinson (personal) — OUT
Josh Christopher (g-league) — OUT
Keshad Johnson (g-league) — OUT

Washington Wizards:

Kyle Kuzma (groin) — OUT
Malcolm Brogdon (thumb) — OUT
Saddiq Bey (ACL) — OUT

Projected Starting 5 (subject to change):

Miami Heat:

Terry Rozier, G
Tyler Herro, G
Jimmy Butler, F
Nikola Jovic, F
Bam Adebayo, C

Washington Wizards:

Jordan Poole, G
Carlton Carrington, G
Bilal Coulibaly, F
Kyshawn George, F
Alex Sarr, C

Broadcast Info:

Tipoff: 9:30 PM EST
TV: NBA TV & FanDuel Sports Network 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)

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