ON THE AIR
as part of a streak that dated back to January 2013 before playing as a reserve for the Heat for the past week.
“It’s different,” Lowry said of his new bench role. “But right now I’m just trying to help my team win and they just want to kind of ease me back in. Whatever decisions coach makes long-term, that’s going to be that. But right now it’s about staying healthy and getting myself in rhythm and in shape.”
Lowry has managed to be effective even as he gets accustomed to playing as a reserve, using his experience and point guard skill set to stabilize Heat bench units that have struggled for most of the season. Lowry has averaged 9.7 points, 2.3 rebounds and four assists per game while shooting 10 of 18 (55.6 percent) from the field and 7 of 13 (53.8 percent) from threepoint range in his first three games off the bench.
Lowry logged 36 minutes in his first game back in a March 11 loss to the Magic in Orlando, but Spoelstra admitted afterward that he strayed from the plan and played him more minutes than he intended to. Lowry’s minutes have been at 19 and 20 in his second and third games off the bench, respectively.
“This is just an incredible luxury for our team to have Kyle Lowry in 20 minutes off the bench because of all the circumstances and because we want to set him up for success and make sure that his body is feeling great and we can stack this and build from there,” Spoelstra said. “He’s an incredible talent to be able to help organize that second unit.
“Look, that second unit has had a lot of moving parts all season long and probably unfairly has drawn some criticism because of all the changing of roles and moving parts and all that stuff. But when you have a Hall of Fame point guard who can help you get everything organized in those minutes, you don’t even have to over-coach it. It’s going to work itself out.”
While Lowry is now playing as a reserve, Gabe Vincent has been the starting point guard in his place for 18 straight games entering Saturday.
“I’ve always empowered Gabe. I think he’s been unbelievably great,” said Lowry, who is on a $28.3 million salary this season in the second year of his three-year, $85 million contract. “I think he’s going to just continue to get better and get more confidence with reps. For me, it’s just about making sure he sees the game. But I think he’s done a great job of having a feel for it.
When you got two guys like me and Gabe where we just really want each other to be successful, it works out.”
Spoelstra has made it known that he doesn’t know what Lowry’s role will look like in a few weeks during the final days of the regular season and a potential playoff run. Lowry could return to the starting lineup or continue off the bench.
Whatever happens, the Heat and Lowry seem to be aligned on the path forward.
“We’ve been on the same page, coach and I, medical and I. Everybody is on the same page,” Lowry said. “We’re just trying to over-communicate right now.”
ZELLER EXPECTED BACK SOON
Backup center Cody Zeller is not with the Heat in Chicago, but he is expected back soon after undergoing a procedure on his broken nose Friday.
“I don’t have a definitive answer for you right now,” Spoelstra said. “Everything looks encouraging. I know what he wants to do and I know based on previous history of guys with these kind of procedures, it will be sooner than later. But you just have to see how the swelling is and all that. He does have his old mask, so that will be a good thing.”