IN THE LANE

UNIQUE TIMES: Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said it was odd having longtime assistant

Dan Craig, now a member of Tyronn Lue’s staff, visiting with the Los Angeles Clippers for Thursday night’s game at AmericanAirlines Arena and being unable to spend time together, due to pandemic protocols.“We texted,” Spoelstra said.“And that’s how strange this all is. We haven’t been able to see each other. He comes into Miami, and he couldn’t even leave the hotel. Over the years we have a good watering hole that we spent a lot of time. . . and we weren’t able to do that.”

POORLY TIMED: That game against the Clippers featured the NBA rarity of a team calling a timeout it didn’t have. It came with guard Reggie Jackson calling time with teammate Marcus Morris Jr. pressured with 27.5 seconds to play and the Clippers up six. Referee

Zach Zarba then assessed the required technical foul, with the Heat awarded possession. Tyler Herro converted the free throw, with a Bam Adebayo dunk with 21.8 seconds left drawing the Heat within three, as close as they would get.“It would have been the right call. We just didn’t have timeouts,” Morris said, with teammates immediately consoling Jackson. “We still got the win, so what we told him is we still need him. Everybody surrounded him and said, Next play and move on.’ It wasn’t as bad as Chris Webber’s play.” Morris was referencing Webber’s calling of a timeout that Michigan didn’t have in the 1993 national championship game, sealing that victory for North Carolina.

LOCKED, LOADED: The Heat’s reliance on zone defense changed the approaches of both the Brooklyn Nets and Denver Nuggets this past week, with both teams adjusting in time for victories, showing the scheme is not an answer by itself.“They sat in that zone the whole second half,” Nuggets coach Michael Malone said after staving off a Heat rally by adding more shooters to his mix in the second half. Two nights earlier, it took the Brooklyn Nets until the fourth quarter to restore order in their victory over the Heat.

“It felt like they were in zone all night,” Kevin Durant said.“They definitely mucked the game up and made it a physical game and were able to stay in the game until late in the fourth. We were able to make some shots there in the fourth and pull away,

HEAT HONOR: Bill Foran, the former Heat strength and conditioning coach, has been honored by the National Basketball Strength & Conditioning Coaches Association with its inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award, an award named in his honor. Foran joined the Heat during their inaugural 1988-89 season, with his profile growing once Pat Riley took over stewardship of the franchise in 1995. Duly deserved, Spoelstra said.“He pretty much reinvented or introduced that position to the NBA years ago, and then to the light-year level when Pat got here,” Spoelstra said.“Because Pat really emphasized being in world-class shape and doing everything you possibly can to help players reach their optimal potential physically. Bill had already built up a tremendous reputation in football with the Hurricanes.”

MIDSEASON SEASONING:

Former University School and Duke standout Vernon Carey Jr. has been assigned for seasoning by the Charlotte Hornets in the G League bubble at Disney World.“They have to play,” Hornets general manager Mitch Kupchak told the Charlotte Observer of sending down second-round picks Carey and Nick Richards. Kupchak said the lack of a true training camp and preseason has made it particularly difficult for rookies. “With this COVID thing, all of a sudden you’re in Charlotte, and two days later it’s your first day of camp. It’s overwhelming, much more so than in years past.”The Hornets since have recalled Richards in order to maintain the minimum required NBA roster, further showing the commitment and need to get playing time for Carey.

NUMBER: 7. Times entering the weekend the Heat had trailed by double digits in the first quarters of games this season. Their first double-digit first-quarter lead of the season did not come until Thursday night against the Los Angeles Clippers, in their 18th game.