Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images
Erik Spoelstra, Miami Heat
The Miami Heat had their chance Thursday night in Philadelphia. Down 16 in the second half, they clawed back and made it interesting down the stretch. Tyler Herro scored 25 points. Bam Adebayo hit four of eight three-pointers and nearly brought Miami all the way back.
It was not enough. The Sixers held on for a 124-117 win that carried significant weight in the Eastern Conference playoff race.
The Heat are 31-29 now, sitting eighth in the East. Saturday afternoon brings the Houston Rockets to South Beach. The injury report ahead of the game is worth paying attention to.
Heat Guard Out Week-to-Week
Norman Powell has a strained right groin and will be out for at least a week, the Heat announced Friday. Powell got hurt in the first half of Thursday night’s loss in Philadelphia and did not return.
Powell is Miami’s leading scorer this season, averaging 22.9 points per game. An MRI confirmed a Grade 1 strain, the lowest severity level. The Heat listed his status as week-to-week.
Powell’s timeline could mean he misses as few as four games if the recovery goes smoothly. Saturday’s matchup with Houston is the first. Brooklyn visits twice next week on Tuesday and Thursday. Charlotte on the road Friday rounds out the potential absence. Miami enters a favorable stretch with seven of the next eight games at home starting Saturday.
GettyNorman Powell #24 of the Miami Heat. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
Who Steps Up Without Powell
Nikola Jovic is listed as game-time decision for Saturday with a back injury. If he cannot go, Miami will lean heavily on Adebayo, Andrew Wiggins, Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Herro.
Herro has been excellent coming off the bench since returning from a rib injury. He scored 25 points against the 76ers on Thursday in his best performance since coming back. In four games since his return, Herro has scored 24, 14, 14 and 25 points while providing the kind of offensive punch Miami needs from its second unit.
Miami will need that kind of production from him again on Saturday.
What the Rockets Bring to Miami
Houston is playing its second game in less than two days. The Rockets beat Orlando on Thursday and now face Miami on Saturday afternoon with minimal recovery time between games.
The Rockets will be without four rotation players. Steven Adams, Fred VanVleet, Jae’Sean Tate and Jabari Smith Jr. are all ruled out for Saturday.
Miami lost back-to-back games to Milwaukee and Philadelphia. The Heat will have fresh legs at home against a Houston team dealing with injuries and fatigue. Afternoon tipoffs have traditionally given the Rockets trouble. Miami could jump on them early if Houston is not ready from the opening tip.
Final Word for the Heat
Miami’s leading scorer is out. Norman Powell strained his right groin in Philadelphia on Thursday and will miss at least a week.
Saturday against Houston marks the first game without him.
The Heat sit eighth in the Eastern Conference at 31-29. Most of the next week will be played at home, with seven of eight games at South Beach. That schedule offers some cushion, but Spoelstra’s depth will be tested without his top scorer.
Surviving this stretch matters. The Heat’s playoff hopes depend on how they handle it.
Keith Watkins Keith Watkins is a sports journalist covering the NBA for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Golden State Warriors, Boston Celtics, and Los Angeles Lakers. He previously wrote for FanSided, NBA Analysis Network, and Last Word On Sports. Keith is based in Bangkok, Thailand. More about Keith Watkins
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