Heat still seeking rhythm as healthy lineup sees limited court time
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With most of their roster finally available, the Miami Heat are trying to gauge how their preferred rotation functions at full strength. Saturday’s loss to the league-worst Indiana Pacers offered one of the few opportunities this season to see the entire core together, but head coach Erik Spoelstra said the limited sample size is not cause for panic.
“That group, when they’ve played together, there’s been an explosive offensive group,” Spoelstra noted, emphasizing that injuries have prevented extended evaluation.
Players adjusting to new combinations
Guard Norman Powell acknowledged the constant shuffling. “We’ve played a certain way for a while,” he said, referencing earlier stretches that featured Pelle Larsson and a bigger frontcourt. “Then another guy comes back in Tyler [Herro] who’s a scorer and can really boost your offense, and now everybody has to adjust.”
Despite lineup interruptions, Miami sits eighth in the Eastern Conference, just 2.5 games from a top-four seed.
Carlisle calls Powell an All-Star
Pacers coach Rick Carlisle praised Powell after Saturday’s matchup, even though the Heat wing finished with six points in 22 minutes. “Powell, to me, is an All-Star this year; he’ll get a vote from me,” Carlisle said. Powell is averaging a career-best 23.8 points while hitting 41.5% of his 7.3 three-point attempts per game.
Herro returns, Powell sits against Thunder
The Heat expected to unveil a healthy starting five last Thursday in Chicago, but floor moisture postponed the game. Guard Tyler Herro finally rejoined the starters Saturday, posting 21 points, seven rebounds and four assists in 32 minutes. He remained active for Sunday’s contest in Oklahoma City, though Powell missed that game with lower-back soreness.
Rozier contract remains intact
The NBA has not voided Terry Rozier’s contract because the league has not received evidence being used in the federal case against him, according to the Miami Herald. Without new material to overturn previous findings, the league cannot proceed as it did when terminating Jontay Porter’s deal. Miami believes Rozier’s expiring salary could still be useful in trade discussions.
Source: Hoops Rumors
