(Photo via NBA.com)
The Miami Heat’s difficult four-game road trip, in which they have began 0-2, doesn’t get any easier on Monday. On the second night of a back-to-back, they will face a 3-2 LA Clippers squad— another top Western Conference squad.
The Clippers’ star duo of James Harden and Kawhi Leonard are both available heading into the matchup, as both players have put up All-Star caliber numbers so far this season. Harden is averaging 21.8 points, 9.2 assists and 4.8 rebounds on 47% shooting. Leonard, who has looked healthy to start the year, is putting up 23.8 points and 6.0 rebounds on 51% from the field.
For Miami, they could enter the night lacking the necessary firepower to keep up with that Clipper’s duo.
The Heat’s official injury report has not released yet, but Tyler Herro will remain sidelined. Norman Powell, who has been out for three straight games with what was initially ruled as “groin soreness” will likely be questionable and closer to a game-time decision. If Powell is good to go, it will be his first return against his former Clippers team. But if not, it may be time to start questioning if Powell’s groin is more serious that people originally thought.
Bam Adebayo has attempted to keep things afloat while getting some offensive boost from Jaime Jaquez Jr, who continues to have a tremendous start to his season. Jaquez is coming off a dominant 31 points to lead Miami in the scoring column in last night’s loss to the Lakers. However, Kel’el Ware and Nikola Jovic have both remained struggling to provide a winning impact. Something will have to give from one of those two to give the Heat a much needed boost, especially if Powell will remain out.
Will Miami have enough to hold off the Clippers on snap their two-game losing streak? Let us know in the comments!
Injury Report (at the time of this publishing):
Miami Heat:
- NOT YET SUBMITTED.
LA Clippers:
- Jordan Miller (hamstring) — OUT
- Kobe Sanders (knee) — OUT
Projected Starting 5 (subject to change):
Miami Heat:
- Davion Mitchell, G
- Norman Powell, G
- Andrew Wiggins, F
- Bam Adebayo, F/C
- Kel’el Ware, C
LA Clippers:
- James Harden, G
- Bradley Beal, G
- Kawhi Leonard, F
- Derrick Jones Jr, F
- Ivica Zubac, C
Broadcast Info:
- Tipoff: 10:30 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)
Come back to Hot Hot Hoops at game time to join our GameThread and chat about the game live with other Heat fans!
***
To check out our other content, click here.
Follow Hot Hot Hoops on Twitter/X here!
Follow Hot Hot Hoops on Instagram here!
Check out Hot Hot Hoops on Facebook here!
Subscribe to our YouTube channel here!
- Heat escape with 136-131 win over Trail Blazers behind Nikola Jovic’s career night
- NBA GAMETHREAD: Portland Trail Blazers (5-3) @ Miami HEAT (5-4)
- Heat must weather storm in this area amid Bam Adebayo’s absence
- Heat officially announce return of ‘Vice Nights’ uniforms
- GAME PREVIEW: Heat host Blazers on the second night of back-to-back
Expectation was too much after those big wins. I just find it funny comparing the stories, news after the wins and after these couple of losses. Example: League was put on notice with the new paced Heat tearing up the competition.
Then after Lakers game… What’s wrong with the Heat? Can they turn it around while its still early?
Lmao
This is gonna be a tough out. They’ve got Airplane Mode on their side.
Not an easy task. The Clippers have some very good players. We could definitely use having Powell in, but only if fully healed.
‘GAME PREVIEW: Heat look to salvage their tough road trip against the LA Clippers’
Heat can’t salvage the road trip unless they beat both the Clippers and the Nuggets.