A Silva lining found in forward’s playing time

MIAMI — Of all the unexpected accomplishments by undrafted forward Chris Silva, none may be more impressive than this: While appearing in every Miami Heat game this season during an 8-3 start, Silva has utilized only eight days of NBA service of the allowable 45 for the season on his twoway contract.

Thanks to the clock not starting until the opening of training camp in the G League, Silva, who played as the Heat’s third reserve off the bench in Thursday night’s 108-97 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers, still has 37 allowable days of practice and playing left on his deal. Beyond that, he otherwise will have to be moved onto the Heat’s Sioux Falls Skyforce affiliate in the G League or converted to a standard contract.

At the moment, under their current salary structure and place against a hard salary cap, the Heat cannot do anything with Silva’s contract until January.

Then again, based on the artful maneuvering of general manager Andy Elisburg and the Heat front office, Silva’s NBA eligibility just might be milked into the new year.

The Heat have 25 games remaining until the Jan. 6 start of 10-day contracts.

Two-way limits, of course, are based on days in the NBA — practice, playing, traveling — but the math could yet keep Silva solely in South Florida instead of South Dakota.

“It’s been all right,” said Silva, who went undrafted out of South Carolina and then thrived for the Heat in summer league and the preseason. “At the same time, I don’t get reps in practice. But coming in to shootaround, I have to have a sharp mind to pay attention to the details and the changes in the game plans, whatever we made the day before the game.

“Being in practice is kind of better because when you get reps on [the] court, you get a better feel to get ready for the game. But it’s been good. I’ve been watching film with the coaches to get ready, [they’re] coaching me before the games [and] showing videos. They’re trying to get me as ready as they can.”

With Justise Winslow still in the NBA concussion protocol and Derrick Jones Jr. dealing with his second injury of the season, Silva has become practically a necessity, particularly with coach Erik Spoelstra opting to play him ahead of veteran James Johnson.

All the while, Silva remains vigilant for the phone call that could tell him it’s time to pack his parka.

“I take it day by day,” he said of what still could be split scheduling between the NBA and G League. “Whatever happens today, that’s the only thing I’m worried about. And when tomorrow comes, then I just deal with it.”

Because of that, Silva has been following the Skyforce and those he played alongside during summer league and the preseason.

“I keep in touch,” he said ahead of Saturday’s game against the New Orleans Pelicans at AmericanAirlines Arena. “I try to watch the games.”

The downside of accumulating only eight NBA days of service to this stage is the difference in salary. On NBA days, the pay is $5,000; on days he technically is on G League status, the salary is $500. He said he grinds regardless of the wage.

“I don’t really take days off,” he said. “I try to work by myself, stay in the gym and stay ready.”

Big voice: Not only has 7-foot Meyers Leonard added bulk to the Heat’s starting lineup, he also has added a big voice.

“Meyers gives us somebody with big size and is probably our best communicator — not probably; he is,” Spoelstra said. “You could hear him loud and clear [Thursday] in this arena. That gets everybody else talking. And he really has been a pleasant addition to be able to anchor our defense from that center position.”

Silva