Amid all the Jimmy Butler trade saga, it’s back to business after the Christmas break for the Miami Heat. They are set for a rematch on the road against the Orlando Magic, and aim for a redemption game after suffering a deflating blown 25-point lead in a loss to the in-state rival last weekend.
Despite the Heat having Christmas off, they still were at the center of news with Shams Charania’s breaking news of Butler now preferring to be traded out of Miami. The speculation continues to intensify as the weeks have gone by, and his status in tonight’s game looks unlikely to play. The star forward is listed as doubtful with reconditioning after missing the last few games with an illness. He did not travel with the team to Orlando.
Erik Spoelstra and Bam Adebayo recently spoke to the media on the rumors during this morning’s shoot-around.
Outside of Butler, Terry Rozier is another key piece on the injury report. He did not play in the Heat’s last win over the Brooklyn Nets, and is listed as questionable with a banged up knee that he suffered in the last Magic matchup. The Magic are still without their top two players in Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner due to significant injuries.
However, the Magic will get back their starting point guard in Jalen Suggs. He is putting together a solid season for Orlando, averaging 16.0 points, 4.2 rebounds and 4.0 assists on 40% shooting.
The Heat’s offense will be focused on the duo of Tyler Herro and Adebayo as they try to build their case for the NBA All-Star game. Adebayo has averaged 20 points, 10.3 rebounds and 4.3 assists on 55% shooting over the last seven games. Herro is still in the midst of a career year, and coming off a 17/12/9 near triple-double performance against the Nets.
Look for Kel’el Ware to continue getting more run tonight off the bench, who has been very impactful in his minutes as the back up to Adebayo.
Injury Report (at the time of this publishing):
Miami Heat:
- Jimmy Butler (return to conditioning) DOUBTFUL
- Terry Rozier (knee) QUESTIONABLE
- Josh Richardson (heel) OUT
- Dru Smith (achilles) OUT
Orlando Magic:
- Gary Harris (hamstring) — QUESTIONABLE
- Mac McClung (g-league) — OUT
- Paolo Banchero (oblique) — OUT
- Moritz Wagner (ACL) — OUT
- Franz Wagner (oblique) — OUT
Projected Starting 5 (subject to change):
Miami Heat:
- Tyler Herro, G
- Duncan Robinson, G
- Jimmy Butler, F
- Haywood Highsmith, F
- Bam Adebayo, C
Orlando Magic:
- Jalen Suggs, G
- Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, G
- Tristan da Silva, F
- Goga Bitadze, F/C
- Wendell Carter Jr., C
Broadcast Info:
- Tipoff: 7:00 PM EST
- 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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