Going back to practice at Disney
Team awaiting its next opponent, as Round 2 could start on Monday
The Miami Heat returned to practice Friday while awaiting this weekend’s resumption of the NBA playoffs at the league’s Disney World quarantine setting.
In was the Heat’s first practice since their Wednesday afternoon session was followed by a boycott of games over concerns about the NBA’s response to systemic racism.
Originally scheduled for a midday media session, the Heat canceled those plans while awaiting a formal statement from the NBA and National Basketball Players Association regarding the plans of the league and union moving forward. Several other teams took a similar approach.
Later Friday, the NBA issued an updated playoff schedule that could have the Heat back in action as soon as Monday, provided the Milwaukee Bucks win their 3:30 p.m. Saturday game against the Orlando Magic at Disney’s Wide World of Sports complex.
The Bucks lead that best-ofseven opening-round series 3-1. Should Milwaukee close out Orlando, a Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinal series between the Bucks and Heat is expected to be scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Monday. Should a Game 6 be required in Bucks-Magic, the Heat’s next series likely would not begin before Wednesday.
The Heat completed their firstround playoff series Monday, when they closed out a 4-0 sweep of the Indiana Pacers, now with at least one week between games.
All games are being played at Disney’s neutral site in the absence of fans, amid the new coronavirus pandemic.
Shortly after the completion of the Heat’s practice, the league and union issued a joint statement that announced Saturday’s resumption of the postseason and read:
“We had a candid, impassioned and productive conversation yesterday between NBA players, coaches and team governors regarding next steps to further our collective efforts and actions in support of social justice and racial equality. Among others, the attendees included player and team representatives of all 13 teams in Orlando. All parties agreed to resume NBA playoff games on Saturday, Aug. 29 with the understanding that the league together with the players will work to enact the following commitments:
“— The NBA and its players have agreed to immediately establish a social justice coalition, with representatives from players, coaches and governors, that will be focused on a broad range of issues, including increasing access to voting, promoting civic engagement, and advocating for police and criminal reform.
“— In every city where the league franchise owns and controls the arena property, team governors will continue to work with local elections officials to convert the facility into a voting location for the 2020 general election to allow for a safe in-person voting option for communities vulnerable to COVID. If a deadline has passed, team governors will work with local elections officials to find another election-related use for the facility, including but not limited to voter registration and ballot receiving boards.
“— The league will work with the players and our network partners meaningful justice to create and include advertising spots in each NBA playoff game dedicated to promoting greater civic engagement in national and local elections and raising awareness around voter access and opportunity.
“These commitments follow months of close collaboration around designing a safe and healthy environment to restart the NBA season, providing a platform to promote social justice, as well as creating an NBA Foundation focused on economic empowerment in the Black community.
“We look forward to the resumption of the playoffs and continuing to work together — in Orlando and in all NBA team markets — to push for meaningful and sustainable change.”
The Heat have pushed for AmericanAirlines Arena to be utilized as a polling site, providing a plan for safely measures amid the new coronavirus pandemic. Ultimate approach approval, however, is required from Miami-Dade County.
The only comment from the Bucks after their Friday practice was a team statement, “As we return to the court today, our team focus will be on our overall performance and well-being. That said, we will not have media availability today.”
The NBA remains in quarantine mode at Disney in the league’s hope to avoid COVID-19 infection.
Players are allowed to bring family members or friends into the quarantine setting starting with the second round of the playoffs, with the Heat also allowed to add additional support personnel beyond the limit of 37 in place for the resumption of the season after the March 11 shutdown due to the new coronavirus pandemic.
The Heat have used these interim days to treat several injured players, with Jimmy Butler dealing with a shoulder strain the limited his action Monday against the Pacers and Jae Crowder with an ongoing ankle issue.
The Heat are not required to post an injury report until 5:30 p.m. the night before their next game.