Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Lowry misses 9th straight, ‘no timetable for return’
PHILADELPHIA — The Miami Heat ruled Kyle Lowry out for his ninth straight game, keeping the veteran point guard off the floor for Miami’s game against the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday night.
The possibility of the veteran guard returning Monday cropped up on Sunday when the Heat upgraded him to questionable on Sunday afternoon, but they downgraded him again Monday morning.
Despite Lowry missing nearly a month, Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said he’s been “encouraged” by the progress Lowry has made recently.
“I’m more encouraged just by the work he’s been able to do the last 10 days,” Spoelstra said. “He’s definitely making progress. I don’t have a timetable for his return, but he’s certainly doing a lot more.”
The 36-year-old Lowry has not played since Feb. 2 due to left knee soreness. He is averaging 12 points, 5.3 assists and 4.3 rebounds in 44 games this season.
Shooting guard Tyler Herro went through shootaround on Monday morning after being listed as questionable with a right rib contusion on Sunday. Forward Jamal Cain was also out for Monday’s game as he was sent back to the G-League as part of his two-way contract.
Early performance key for Miami
The Heat dug early holes for themselves in the first two games of their three-game road trip, trailing by double digits at the end of the first quarter in losses to the Milwaukee Bucks and Charlotte Hornets.
Milwaukee never let up its momentum and cruised past Miami on Friday, but the Heat battled back to tie the game against Charlotte. The key, Spoelstra said, will be avoiding that type of deficit against the 76ers, who are sitting at third place in the Eastern Conference.
“We’re capable of that,” Spoelstra said. “When we’ve been our best this season, we’ve set the tone immediately with our disposition activity. Particularly, on that defensive end, and that’s what we’ll need against a team that’s obviously playing really well.”