We’re just over two days away from the Miami Heat’s season opener against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Rotations in today’s NBA are extremely flexible based on matchups, scheme, game flow and who’s available, among many other factors. It’s difficult to be set on the same nine or 10 guys each night.
The good news for the Heat is that most everyone practiced this weekend. So how should the rotation shape out once the 7:30 p.m. EST tip-off arrives on Wednesday? Let’s examine!
Starting Lineup:
Davion Mitchell:
Skinny: He’s not Giannis or Bam, but Davion Mitchell showed why he is the team’s head of the snake on both ends. Mitchell averaged 8.0 points while dishing out five dimes (to two turnovers) in 18.0 minutes per game with Miami this preseason. He was pushing pace whenever he had the opportunity to, setting up open teammates and creating easy transition looks. Mitchell’s motor was a 12 out of 10 on both ends, which ies exactly what you want to see from the 6-foot-1 guard.
Klay Thompson:
Skinny: Thompson didn’t shoot the ball well this preseason, going just 3-of-20 from 3-point range. Historically, he’s a “slow” starter, as he’s a career 37.6 percent 3-point shooter over his team’s first 10 games of a new season (41.3 percent otherwise). Those are still very good numbers. The best part was Thompson defended well. Eventually, he’ll find that balance.
Andrew Wiggins:
Skinny: Wiggins was the Heat’s second-leading scorer this preseason, averaging 14.3 points on 60.6 percent shooting and 46.7 percent from deep on 3.8 attempts. Offensively, Wiggins’ role look simplified — and that’s when he’s at his best. As long as he’s burying open threes and holding his ground against the opposing team’s best wing, he’ll be a critical piece to this team.
Giannis Antetokounmpo:
Skinny: Duh! When you’re the only person to ever record 20-15-9 in less than 25 minutes in an NBA game, you’re ready for the season to start.
Bam Adebayo:
Skinny: Another duh, even though Adebayo is dealing with a groin injury. He practiced on Sunday, though.
Reserves (Lock):
Pelle Larsson:
Skinny: While Larsson was inactive for three of the Heat’s final four preseason games with an undisclosed illness, I am expecting (not a report) 6-foot-5 guard to be active ahead of Wednesday’s season opener. Larsson is the quintessential glue guy that should blossom alongside Antetokounmpo and Adebayo, although he will begin the season in the Heat’s second unit.
Tim Hardaway Jr.:
Skinny: Hardaway, who finished third in Sixth Man of the Year voting last year, didn’t miss a beat. He averaged 11.5 points on 42.1 percent shooting from distance in preseason. There’s always going to be pressure when you’re wearing your father’s number, but I think Hardaway will acclimate himself just fine as a movement shooter and spot-up threat.
Bobby Portis:
Skinny: Portis functions as an extra big behind Adebayo and Antetokounmpo. He’s a good rebounder and 3-point shooter, shooting 40.0 percent on 3.8 triple tries across four preseason games. Should he carry that efficiency over, Portis will be one of the most impactful bigs in an Eastern Conference that lacks big depth.
Reserve (Fringe):
Nikola Jovic:
Skinny: Jovic, 23, did everything that was asked of him this preseason to earn a rotation spot. He shot the ball well (led the team in 3P%), sported a 3.6 assist-to-turnover ratio and defended at an above-average level. I was also impressed with his slashing and his finishing through contact, which can still be hit-and-miss. Now, it’s time for him to carry that over into the regular season on a consistent level.
Ryan Conwell:
Skinny: Conwell blossomed toward the end of preseason, averaging 18.7 points and 5.7 assists on 40.0 percent shooting from 3-point range over his final three games. His playmaking and ballhandling have improved since the summer, and I remained impressed with his point-of-attack defense. His quick-trigger 3-point shooting will be an asset at some point, even if he doesn’t begin the year in the rotation.
Simone Fontecchio:
Skinny: Fontecchio led the team in made 3-pointers (9) during preseason, knocking them down at a 37.8 percent clip, averaging 8.6 points. He’s another body who Erik Spoelstra can trust to provide some extra spacing and knock down shots, specifically alongside Antetokounmpo.
Nick Richards:
Skinny: I still view Richards as more of an insurance big than a rotational big man. But he was the Heat’s leading rebounder in five games, grabbing 8.4 boards with a 31.7 defensive rebound percentage and a 20.9 total rebound percentage. Those are numbers you ultimately can’t ignore. He knows his role.
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I have a feeling 2 or more reserves may demonstrate they should be part of the regular rotation. Hopefully, Spo goes with a 9-10-11 man rotation to preserve the starters during the long 82 game season. Can’t wait to see how well the new players mesh with the returning ones.
I expect Simone to make a Max Strus type of leap forward if he’s on the court at the same time as Bam and Giannis drawing attention in the paint
to many guys ahead of him on the pecking order.been a below avg player his whole career.not a newby.ck his stats out
He’s a gunslinger off the bench when others are cold. If he’s hot, he plays. If he’s cold, he sits.
Greek early, often, & always. Giddy up!
I believe there will be 9 man regular rotation. One or two out of the group of Simone, Richards, Gardner and Conwell will get 5-10 minutes, depends of need.
Guards recently waived who may be of interest to Heat:
Brown is the only interesting option here, but also not a type of player Heat needs.
Clayton is a point guard.
All in on Clayton. He would be an ideal target as a developmental lotto ticket that could hit.
Clayton Jr, add a 2025 draft pick who can shoot at no cost. Probably a lot of competition from other teams to sign him
Where have you been?
stat man welcome back has was off season
Clayton and Knecht are both eligible for 2-way contracts. Vlad is redundant at this point. That would leave the 15th spot open for any future move.
Minnesota will be a very tough challenge for Miami coming out the gate. The T’Wolves added Ball and Kuminga to an already strong group. It should be quite a matchup defensively for both teams.
We’ll have a good idea how the new additions (Giannis, Portis, Conwell and Richards) mesh with the core group (Mitchell, Wiggins, Bam, Larsson, Fontecchio) and how far Jovic and Gardner have come since last season. I have a feeling we may see some very positive signs from a few of the non-starters.
It should be a very good game. Miami’s pace, defense and 3 point shooting may be the difference. Can’t wait.
GO HEAT!!!
first game exciting but its only one game need about 15-20 games to make some conclusions..if klay looks like he did in pre season gonna be hard to give him minutes.this is a young mans game ,we’re gonna need to acquire a pt getter at some point in the season imo
15-20 games to draw a conclusion? That’s refreshing. You have occasionally reached a conclusion in a quarter or two. I’m proud of you.
Agree that it’s a tough matchup out the gate. I’m sure everyone with the Heat would have it no other way. Let’s ride!
If nothing else, it will demonstrate what is missing and what the next move needs to be.
let it ride bto
And takin care of business
I’m just excited for the season to start and to share that excitement with all the writers and posters. This is the most optimistic I have been since the Denver championship series. Things are definitely on the upsweep here, even if the whole division is also better. We can enjoy the thrill ride now, although it could get bumpy at times.