Rockets vs. Heat INJURY/STATUS REPORT

When/where: 6 p.m. Friday; Toyota Center. TV/radio: ATTSW; 790 AM, 93.3 FM (Spanish), 1010 AM (Spanish). So far: Rockets 10-25, Heat 22-13.

THREE THINGS TO WATCH

Backcourt durability

1

The Rockets are still being cautious in managing their recently reunited starting backcourt of Jalen Green and Kevin Porter Jr., both of whom returned from injuries within the past week. Although Silas had stated he wanted to be mindful of their playing time, particularly in back-to-backs, Green played 38 minutes against the Lakers on Tuesday while Porter played 35. Both guards recovered well and will be available Friday, Silas said, but with another back-to-back coming up, they likely won’t near 40 minutes.

“Can’t do that (again), for sure,” Silas said. “I have to be more conscious of their minutes. But for tomorrow, they’re good.”

Where does David Nwaba fit in?

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With power forwards Jae’Sean Tate and KJ Martin both in the health and safety protocols, Nwaba started the Rockets’ past two games. Tate remains out, but Martin cleared protocols Thursday and will be available against Miami, which could push Nwaba out of the starting lineup or at least cut into his playing time. Nwaba played well in his two starts, particularly on defense, and has done nothing to warrant being relegated back to the bench. Martin is the better offensive player of the two and was averaging 18.1 minutes per game off the bench before he went out.

Whatever the case, the Rockets will benefit from a boost of depth after playing just eight against the Lakers.

Young blood

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While much of the scouting report will be influenced by the medical report, along with their emergency signings the Heat have a handful of young players who are regular contributors.

The Rockets aren’t the only ones with a Turkish rookie. Heat center Omer Yurtseven played college ball at N.C. State and Georgetown before going undrafted in 2020 and signing with Miami this season. He cracked the starting five only two games ago but has grabbed double-figure rebounds in six straight games, the longest such streak by a Heat rookie in franchise history.

Third-year forward Caleb Martin, on a two-way contract, is averaging 8.0 points and 3.2 rebounds on 50 percent shooting. He’s shooting 36 percent (22-of-61) on 3-pointers and has scored in double figures in six of his past eight games.

One surely recognizable name is Herro, who in his third NBA season continues to be a dynamic scorer and is putting up the most efficient numbers of his career. Herro is shooting 44.4 percent from the field and 40.8 percent from deep while averaging an NBA-best 20.4 points off the bench this season.

Rockets: Guard John Wall (not injury related), guard D.J. Augustin (health and safety protocols), guard DeJon Jarreau (health and safety protocols), guard/ forward Garrison Mathews (health and safety protocols) and forward Jae’Sean Tate (health and safety protocols) are out. Heat: Center Bam Adebayo (thumb surgery), forward Zylan Cheatham (health and safety protocols), center Dewayne Dedmon (left knee sprain), guard Marcus Garrett (health and safety protocols), forward Udonis Haslem (health and safety protocols), guard Kyle Lowry (health and safety protocols), forward Markieff Morris (whiplash), forward KZ Okpala (right wrist sprain), guard Victor Oladipo (injury recovery), forward Duncan Robinson (health and safety protocols), guard Max Strus (health and safety protocols), forward P.J. Tucker (health and safety protocols) and guard Gabe Vincent (health and safety protocols) are out. Guard Jimmy Butler (right ankle sprain) is questionable.