Winslow’s feel good return
Forward back in lineup for first time since Dec. 13
MIAMI — It was only a few minutes but Miami Heat forward Justise Winslow felt progress in his first action on the court in more than a month.
Winslow had been sidelined 14 games with a strained left knee. It was his first game since Dec. 13.
“I felt pretty good,” Winslow said. “I actually wasn’t as tired as I thought. In the second half, especially I got in better rhythm. It felt good to be back out there competing.”
Winslow finished with three points, four rebounds and four assists in 13 minutes Sunday in Miami’s 97-79 win over the Milwaukee Bucks. He made his only 3-point field goal attempt. Most importantly, he said he felt fully healed from the injury.
“Yea, it felt pretty good,” Winslow said.
The Heat are hoping a healthy Winslow can only add to the success they are having. His versatility has proven a valuable asset.
“It was great to have him back out there,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. “He’s another guy who creates a lot of action. When Justise is being aggressive on both ends of the court, it’s hard to not notice him. He’ll create something defensively with physicality.”
Winslow’s presence is even more a necessity in the absence of guard Dion Waiters, who is expected to miss the remainder of the season once he undergoes ankle surgery. The Heat are also without guard Rodney McGruder (stress fracture) and forward Okaro White (foot).
Winslow returns at an ideal time, with the Heat gearing up for a five-game road trip that begins today at Chicago.
“We need bodies, especially for this road trip,” guard Goran Dragic said. “It means a lot. You get a guy who can defend multiple positions, who can create for others. He’s shooting the ball better. I think that’s going to help us in this stretch.”
Winslow said he doesn’t expect much of a learning curve in terms of learning the Heat’s semi-revamped offense. While Winslow and center Hassan Whiteside were out with injuries last month, the Heat shifted toward running their offense through different players.
“It’s great,” Winslow said. “It’s really a collective offense. Everyone gets to touch it a good amount. It helps you get in a pretty good rhythm. It’s a pretty balanced attack.”
Johnson replaces Olynk
Forward James Johnson was in the starting lineup for the first time Dec. 16. He replaced Kelly Olynk, who started the previous 17 games.
The move was made to combat the Bucks’ long and athletic frontcourt that consists of center John Henson and forward Giannis Antetokounmpo.
“This is a dynamic, attacking team, as you can see,” Spoelstra said of the Bucks. “Multiple guys can really put a lot of pressure on you at the rim.”
Jones Jr. returns
Forward Derrick Jones Jr. on Sunday was recalled to the roster from the Sioux Falls Skyforce, the Heat’s G League affiliate.
Jones, who is on a twoway contract, has started two games this season but did not play against the Bucks.
Rothstein honored
Former Heat coach Ron Rothstein was given the 2017 Tex Winter Assistant Coach Lifetime Impact Award at halftime.
A few Heat coaches, including former assistant David Fizdale and Spoelstra, were on hand to help him accept it. Rothstein was the Heat’s first head coach in franchise history and later served as an assistant.