Johnson listed as ‘probable’ vs. L.A.

MIAMI – Versatile forward James Johnson appears poised to make his season debut Sunday when the Miami Heat host the Los Angeles Lakers at AmericanAirlines Arena.

Sidelined since May surgery for sports hernia, Johnson missed the preseason and has remained behind at AmericanAirlines Arena at the start of the regular season during the Heat’s initial trips to work on his conditioning.

Saturday, though, in the league-mandated 5:30 p.m. injury report, the Heat listed Johnson as probable for the lone visit of the season by the Lakers and LeBron James.

However, amid the Heat’s revolving door of injuries, the Heat are listing Goran Dragic and Rodney McGruder as questionable, Dragic with a “right knee injury” and McGruder with a “left quadriceps contusion.”

Dragic missed two games a week ago with a swollen right knee, playing four games since. McGruder has not missed a game this season, starting each of the first 15.

Dwyane Wade is listed as out for Sunday’s game, which will be his seventh consecutive game on paternity leave in the wake of the birth of his daughter in California.

The return of Johnson could lead to a return of two-way forward Duncan Robinson to the Heat’s developmental-league affiliate, the G League Sioux Falls Skyforce. However, the injuries to Dragic and McGruder, as well as the ongoing absence of Wade, could have the Heat delaying such a move. Robinson is limited to 45 days with the Heat from the start of G League camp to the end of the G League regular season.

Heat finding pace, not points: Ranked 11th in the NBA in pace going into Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Lakers at AmericanAirlines Arena, the Heat are 19th in offensive rating. Ranking 27th in turnover percentage doesn’t help that equation.

“I think it’s different every game,” forward Justise Winslow said. “Sometimes it’s turnovers. Sometimes it’s poor spacing. Sometimes it’s shot selection. And then I think we let the offense slip and affect us defensively”

Friday in Indiana it added up to a season-low 91 points. Working the ball inside has been an ongoing issue, as has been passing in tight quarters.

Through it all, the Heat have scored 90 of more in 46 consecutive games, extending the franchise record, a streak that began in February.

Feeling off: Center Hassan Whiteside had his left hand wrapped in ice following Friday’s game but said it was not a factor in closing 6 of 15 from the field against the Pacers.

“It’s just swollen,” he said. “I hurt it last game in Brooklyn, but I’m OK. I’m a tough guy.”

Whiteside still posted his 160th double-double for the Heat with 12 points and 17 rebounds.