Heat starting power forward P.J. Tucker, now 37, has been his usual pesky self on the defensive end against the Sixers, writes Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald. It’s been a huge boon for Miami, which currently leads Philadelphia 2-1 in the teams’ second-round playoff series.
“P.J. does what he does,” Sixers starting small forward Danny Green said. “We don’t back down. But you’ve got to play smart. Don’t take any cheap stuff. Don’t give any cheap stuff. Be just as physical as they are. We’re going to check people, get into bodies. Let them know we’re here too. We’re here to win. It’s the type of basketball you want to see.”
Jackson noted that Tucker’s repertoire included a litany of hard screens and rugged on-ball defense. The veteran Tucker, who won a title with the Bucks last year, signed a two-year, $15MM contract with the Heat during the offseason. Should he so choose, Tucker could try to capitalize on his successful playoff performance thus far: he has a player option on the 2022/23 season.
There’s more out of South Beach:
- Heat Sixth Man of the Year Tyler Herro lit up the Sixers across Miami’s first two games in the series, both wins, scoring 43 points on 15-of-27 shooting. In response, the Sixers have opted to consistently trap the third-year guard, an issue for which Miami must now game-plan, writes Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald. “That’s a sign of great respect, how important Tyler is to us,” Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra said of the new defensive attention.
- Miami’s $90MM man Duncan Robinson has fallen out of the club’s rotation with the ascension of Gabe Vincent, Max Strus and Victor Oladipo on the Heat depth chart. The veteran forward is striving to handle the demotion with a positive attitude, writes Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald. “It has been a challenge,” Robinson acknowledged. “But it comes with the territory. It’s part of being a professional.”
- With the return of starting Heat point guard Kyle Lowry into the lineup, Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel wonders if the moves of Oladipo and Vincent to the bench have hurt the reserves’ chemistry. Winderman postulates that Vincent may eventually feel the minutes squeeze as Lowry’s role increases.
Dipo is a former 2 time All Star he needs to play 35 minutes and needs to score. Sixers have more offense that Miami Vincent and Lowry not threats Dipo is play him Spoelstra stop with ‘the culture’ moves live in reality.
Lakers can acquire Duncan Robinson in June Draft Day
What about after? Or before?
Compare to Clippers 15 players depth. Lakers need everybody
Ex
Lakers should acquire Finnie Smith a couple of years ago
Yes, draft pick, & possibly include another team to get it done( Duncan to Lakers). Need shooting with Lebron and forced to keep Westbrook…
Duncan Robinson should be starting in this series over Strus, and the Heat need Strus’ spacing off the bench. Especially if we’re talking about Herro getting trapped…if you have shooters on the floor, that doesnt matter.
Duncan should be playing. His shooting spreads the floor for Bam and Jimmy. This is a mistake imo.
You’re right but Duncan’s been ice cold. Can’t play him right now with his mental state and the funk with his shooting. Of course it’s all mental because he has been an excellent 3 point shooter in the past.
Narratoves… Strus hasnt made any shots either. This is all ridiculous, and makes no sense. They played a certain way all year, and now iij n a matchup where you need to play that way, theh go away from it…Phoenix did the same last year in the finals…maybe spo just feels bad for Doc Rivers, but this is now the 3rd time in spots career where he purposely messed with the rotation, and now it’s going to cost them. This was over before it started, as I had been saying
…damn brutal autocorrect on this post lol, but hopefully it was clear enough
Also on a side note, it doesnt matter if he is making shots. It’s the spacing he provides on the floor, especially when you pair him with other shooters. Teams chase him with 2 or 3 guys all the time