The Heat have been unable to play their full roster this season due to injuries. What could happen if the Heat get at or near full strength?
Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel explores that question. Gabe Vincent, who has seen some playing time as the backup point guard, could be pushed further down the bench. Coach Erik Spoelstra would have to choose between Max Strus and Duncan Robinson as the backup wing and Haywood Highsmith could also be on the rotation bubble.
The Heat could look to deal backup center Dewayne Dedmon and his expiring contract, along with another player, for some immediate help. In that scenario, Orlando Robinson could be a stopgap as the main reserve until Omer Yurtseven is able to return from ankle surgery.
We have more on the Heat:
- Speaking of absences, Jimmy Butler was scratched from the team’s game against Chicago on Tuesday due to a gastrointestinal illness, the team tweets. It was the 12th game that Butler missed this season.
- A trio of other players — Kyle Lowry (left knee soreness), Caleb Martin (left ankle sprain) and Vincent (left knee effusion) — were also sidelined. Two-way player Jamal Cain was recalled from the G League to provide depth.
- Entering the team’s road trip, Tyler Herro was averaging 15.6 points in the nine wins in which he played and 24.2 points in the 10 losses he played. Herro then averaged a team-high 26.3 points during the Heat’s 4-0 road swing. He debunks the notion that the team tends to do better when he scores less, according to Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald. “I think it’s a pointless stat. Because the games we’ve won, I’ve shot the same amount of shots and I just ended up missing them,” he said. “So when shots go in, I’ll have above 20. If I miss, I have below 20. It’s make or miss at the end of the day and I don’t think that stat is credible.”
I liked Dedmon in sac and they’re looking for someone to back up sabonis and I don’t think he hated it here. Dude can hit the three
I’ld prefer Dedmon to BK
Too true, too true Tyler… a real silly stat, so if he misses his shots the team wins, if he makes them the team loses, right?
Some folks need to find better things to do with their time than create meaningless stats!!!
This is the second year in a row the heat have played almost no games with their full rotation. Last year I think they played a total of 3 games with their true starting 5.. this year they are at 1 so far….. I think its time to fire head trainer. I think their methods are getting people hurt, and not coming back fast enough from injury.