The Heat are trying to manage Kyle Lowry‘s knee issues and he’s trying to adjust to a second-unit role. Erik Spoelstra is seeing some benefits from Lowry coming off the bench, Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel writes.
“We’re trying to figure this out, and it’s really more of a health issue than it is a performance issue or even strategy concern,” the Heat coach said. “Want to make sure that he continues to feel good and then we can hopefully scale more minutes. But what we saw the other night was one of those great benefits and luxuries of having a Hall of Fame point guard be able to organize that group.”
Lowry has averaged 19.5 minutes the last two games. The Heat have listed him as questionable for their game against Chicago on Saturday.
We have more Southeast Division tidbits:
- Restoring Duncan Robinson to the Heat rotation is unlikely at this point, as Winderman explains in his latest mailbag. Robinson’s best shot at minutes would be to have Kevin Love and Gabe Vincent removed from the rotation, since Max Strus and Victor Oladipo are also fighting for playing time.
- The Hornets have won only 22 games and they’re currently on a four-game losing streak, but coach Steve Clifford is still riding his players hard and warning them to not mentally check out the rest of the way, Roderick Boone of the Charlotte Observer reports. “I want us to try to play to win,” he said. “We’re doing a lot of individual messaging with guys about what they can concentrate on. I don’t want to just play it out. I don’t want to do that. I don’t think that’s smart to do.” Clifford’s status beyond this season is questionable with Michael Jordan looking to sell his stake in the franchise.
- Lottery pick Johnny Davis hasn’t impacted the Wizards’ season but he’s received some notable playing time in the last two games. He enjoyed his best game of the season against Detroit with 11 points and five rebounds in a 19-minute stint, Josh Robbins of The Athletic notes. “He’s just kind of found a rhythm on the court, off the court (and with) NBA life,” Corey Kispert said. “It’s all hard to adjust to. He kind of settled into his daily routine. When your headspace is right off the floor, then your game just kind of follows.”
Miami is in the process of a slow decline that is one Jimmy Butler injury away from getting sped up real quick.
Could be linked to the medical waste? Who knows what the players came in contact with. Scary stuff.
General Soreness was already in decline when they signed him…
Miami went to the final off the back of Jimmy absolutely putting the team on his back.
Since then they have given Duncan Robinson a insane contract but decided not to pay PJ Tucker and have not done anything else to get them any help. They’re excuse not to pay PJ was cause he’s old and they were worried he would decline, yet were happy to give Kyle Lowry his deal. Since then they haven’t filled the starting Pf spot and haven’t addressed the back up C spot which had been a issue for even longer.
They have a bunch of guards Lowry Herro Oladipo Vincent and Strus all receiving minutes, Vincent and Strus are both on expiring deals.
They just needed to bite the bullet and trade Robinson at whatever cost and try move on from there. Even moving Vincent and or Strus wouldn’t have been a bad idea
Robinson, Jovic and 2 first for John Collins
Robinson, Jovic and a first for DFS and Patty Mills
Robinson, Jovic and a first plus seconds for Oubre and Martin
Robinson and a first for Bagley
Robinson for Bertans
Robinson and a first for RoCo and Coffey
Robinson and seconds for McDermott
All deals which I would’ve made and all would’ve moved the needle a little for them atleast.
My personal preference of those would be for Bagley. Like his upside still, like his size, athleticism and what he could offer and pair that with Bam. Would help a lot on the boards, defending the paint and he’s got potential to be more consistent expanding his shot. Would’ve also signalled that your looking ahead to the future by going younger and looking to unlock his potential.