A chance to reload and replenish
Reeling Heat look to regain footing during 6-game homestand
The last time the Miami Heat got closer to whole they suffered arguably their most disheartening loss of the season.
So that brings perspective to what comes next.
But there also is hope because, for the first time this season, they will be home for more than a week.
At 6-10, cautious optimism is in place for Erik Spoelstra’s team as it returns from a four-game trip for a six-game homestand that opens Wednesday against the Denver Nuggets at AmericanAirlines Arena.
Jimmy Butler and Avery Bradley have worked their way through required pandemic protocols, with Bradley expected back on Wednesday night, as Butler moves closer to a return. Tyler Herro has had over a week off to deal with neck spasms, upgraded to questionable on Tuesday’s NBA injury report.
Still out are Meyers Leonard with his shoulder strain and Moe Harkless, who was rested during Monday night’s 98-85 loss to the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center with his thigh bruise.
“I see us trending in the right direction,” center Bam Adebayo said after scoring 67 points in the consecutive losses Saturday and Monday in Brooklyn. “We’re just down bodies.”
The last time the Heat were replenished, when Adebayo, Goran Dragic, Kendrick Nunn, Harkless and others returned from a two-game absence due to contact tracing, the Heat put together a hideous 120-100 loss to the lowly visiting Detroit Pistons on Jan. 16, part of the current 2-6 run.
Now there seemingly will be a need for fast-tracking the returns of Bradley and Butler, who have missed those eight games, out since playing in the Jan. 9 road
victory over the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena.
“I mean, the good thing is we have a system that they’re familiar with,” Dragic said, with Butler expected back by the weekend. “They already know how to play in that system. I think the most important thing is going to be how they’re going to feel.
“And it’s not easy to come back. First game maybe we’llbe a little rusty, but we’re here to help them and trying to get this thing going in the right way.”
To this point, stability has been an abstract, with 11 starting lineups over the first 16 games.
“I mean, it’s not the start that we wanted, but I’m still confident that we can bounce back,” said Dragic, who is dealing with a strained left groin.
“Most of these games we had a lot of different starting lineups, we had a lot of guys out. So it’s been up and down. But hopefully it’s going to calm down and some guys can come back and have more bodies. These games at home are going to be crucial for us.”
The last time the Heat stood four games under .500 was when they closed the 2018-19 season at 39-43, the night that Dwyane Wade retired. They have not been five games under .500 since March 4, 2019, when the lineup included the likes of Rodney McGruder, Dion Waiters and Hassan Whiteside.
Spoelstra positivity.
“I think this was a very productive road trip,” he said of the 1-3 run against the Raptors and Nets that ended Monday in Brooklyn.
“I just like this group. I like the competitiveness. I like the way this group has responded.”
The hope now is with those who await to augment.
“We are shorthanded, but we did march in the right direction,” Dragic said. “When we get bodies back, players back, it’s going to be much easier.
“And it’s going to be six games at home, so every game counts. We need to make a run and can’t wait to get those guys back.”
The Heat arrived back in South Florida early Tuesday morning in 13th place in the Eastern Conference, 2 games out of last place ... but also four games out of second.
“For six straight, we gotta get those at home,” Adebayo said. “We’re at the bottom of the East right now. It don’t look right being down there. It’s on us to fix that. We gottto fix that by winning.” is preaching