Pelle Larsson poured in a career-high 21 points Friday night in his first appearance after a five-game absence, helping the Miami Heat snap an extended slump.
The rookie guard, back in the starting lineup following a left ankle sprain, shot 9-for-13 from the floor and 3-for-4 from deep in 29 minutes. Head coach Erik Spoelstra said Larsson’s conditioning work during rehab was “all out,” noting that the 22-year-old “just pushes the envelope” and continues to supply vital “glue” intangibles.
“You should have seen his rehab sessions … almost to the point of throwing up,” Spoelstra told reporters. “It’s different than game conditioning, but he was able to handle those 29 minutes.”
Larsson admitted feeling “pretty gassed” after his first action in more than two weeks, yet teammates welcomed the boost after Miami had dropped eight of its previous nine contests. “He’s the ultimate energy guy,” forward Jaime Jaquez Jr. said. “He gives everybody the spark we desperately needed.”
Jovic also returns
Forward Nikola Jovic, sidelined the past four games by a right elbow contusion and laceration, came back Friday wearing a protective sleeve. Although he shot just 3-for-14 overall and 1-for-6 from three-point range, the 22-year-old added seven rebounds, four assists and a steal, finishing plus-12.
“When I miss shots, I get pretty mad,” Jovic said. “During this time I talked a lot with assistant coaches; they helped me find a way to get back quicker. Even though I didn’t make a lot tonight, I still felt great shooting them.”
Adebayo, Herro remain out
Center Bam Adebayo will sit for a second straight game Saturday with lower-back soreness. Spoelstra said the All-Star “really needed this time,” adding that overcompensation issues had limited Adebayo’s movement but that he is “definitely making progress.”
Guard Tyler Herro has appeared only once in the last nine outings because of a right big-toe contusion. Spoelstra reported that Herro is “definitely making progress” toward a return.
Deadline outlook
In the Sun-Sentinel, Ira Winderman argued that Miami should consider selling at the February trade deadline, listing Andrew Wiggins and Norman Powell among players who could be moved to bolster the club’s future draft capital.
Source: Hoops Rumors
