While the Miami Heat’s standing in the East has been all but decided with the possibility of improving their lottery odds, in the least surprising news of the day, they are still deciding to play their starters Friday night against the New Orleans Pelicans, head coach Erik Spoelstra revealed at shoot around.
There are just two games left in the regular season. Entering Friday at 36-44, the Heat own a 90.2 percent chance at securing the No. 10 seed, according to Basketball Reference’s playoff probabilities report. In order to avoid the 10-spot, they would need to win both of their games plus either Chicago or Atlanta losing both of their final two games.
We know the Heat won’t tank and would probably prefer running suicide sprints on a court full of Legos before even considering it. So, this news shouldn’t come as a surprise.
The one benefit to playing the regulars normally is keeping them fresh ahead of next Wednesday’s play-in game against either Chicago or Atlanta. It’s the “rest versus rust,” conversation, and it’s clear Miami prefers not to have rust despite having little to play for.
However, this would be an excellent time to see what they have with their young pieces–such as Jaime Jaquez Jr., who’s had a disappointing season, Keshad Johnson and Josh Christopher. Unfortunately, Isaiah Stevens, Pelle Larsson and Nikola Jovic all aren’t healthy. But there’s little use in giving regular minutes to Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo due to the risk of injury.
If they want to become the first team in NBA history to win two play-in games on the road, they’re going to need to be fully rested. Adebayo has dealt with back spasms within the last week and Tyler Herro has played the fifth-most minutes in the NBA with an overwhelming shot creation burden.
Plus, rewarding others with more opportunity over these final two games could help build their confidence as they enter a pressurized environment next week. Again, I see a reason to keep everyone fresh, though I think there are more compelling arguments to rest for the next five days before the real fun starts.
***
To check out our other content, click here.
Follow Hot Hot Hoops on Twitter/X here!
Follow Hot Hot Hoops on Instagram here!
Subscribe to our YouTube channel here!
Ok…so they need to come out firing, and making them, and go up big say 30pts? hehe so the starters can rest early.
ud avail?
Yes. And Qulnn, Crotty, Caron, Ellington, Allen, Zo, Battier, Askins, Rice, McAdoo. (I didn’t realize there were so many ex players on the staff.