MIAMI — It has been nine games since Kel’el Ware last started, a span when the Miami Heat otherwise have started the likes of Simone Fontencchio and Myron Gardner, with Ware with only three starts since Jan 6.

But that lately has stood as far less of a talking point, with Ware instead receiving opportunities to play as a closer.

Friday night’s 128-120 road victory over the Charlotte Hornets was a perfect example of the late-game confidence shown by coach Erik Spoelstra, with Ware playing the entire fourth quarter, a period when he blocked four shots as part of lockdown Heat defense that limited the Hornets to 19 points in the quarter.

Largely featured against second-team talent during his recent stats-building surge as a reserve, and often hidden in the Heat’s zone defense as solely a rim protector, Ware often stood alone and stood tall during the moments of truth in Charlotte.

“It was probably his best response in an important game that he’s had all year,” Spoelstra said of his second-year 7-footer, on what otherwise was a mundane statistical night for Ware, who closed with 10 points and four rebounds in his 30:48. “He started out giving up some offensive rebounds and (struggled in) the pick-and-roll coverages. It wasn’t great.

“But then, when we needed him most, he played his best minutes. In the last eight minutes of the fourth quarter, he really came back to life, was protecting the rim, was closing out in our zone when he needed to, made some great reads with that.”

Part of the push-pull with Spoelstra had been Ware’s consistency in moments of truth.

“And I just was really pleased to see him be able to respond and have that kind of mental toughness,” Spoelstra said. “That’s growth in my mind.”

Previously in such situations, it would be Bam Adebayo in and Ware out. This time the two shared the floor together for the entire final period.

“I feel like he’s handling them well,” Adebayo said of Ware meriting such meaningful late minutes. “He’s not getting too high on the highs and too low on the lows. And he’s staying consistent.

“I always tell him, it might not be 15-15, five blocks. Sometimes it might be eight-eight and four blocks. It might be that some games. But for me, I just want him to keep impacting winning.”

So, at the close, when the Hornets shot 7 of 21 in that fourth quarter, forward Jaime Jaquez Jr. said the defensive approach was basic.

“Trying to funnel everything to him,” Jaquez said of Ware. “He was just making play after play.”

Injury report

Guard Norman Powell is listed as out for Sunday night’s game against the Detroit Pistons at Kaseya Center, the fifth consecutive game he will miss with a strained right groin

In addition, forward Simone Fontecchio will miss a third consecutive game with a strained right groin and forward Nikola Jovic will miss an eighth consecutive game due to lower-back injury management.

Also listed as out for Sunday are forward Keshad Johnson and guard Jahmir Young, who remain on G League assignment, and Terry Rozier, who is on NBA leave.

Meanwhile, forward Andrew Wiggins, who had been listed with back tendinitis and missed Friday night’s victory in Charlotte, is listed as questionable for Sunday due to toe inflammation.

Family Festival

The Heat have announced a March 15 makeup date at Kaseya Center for last Sunday’s rained out Miami Heat Family Festival, calling it a “Family Festival Follow-Up.”

In an email to ticket holders for the event, the Heat wrote, “We were incredibly disappointed that severe weather forced us to cancel this year’s Miami Heat Family Festival — it’s one of our favorite annual traditions, and we know how much it means to you and all the event attendees. So, while we couldn’t control the weather, we still want to make sure you get the Family Festival experience. That’s why we’re hosting a Family Festival Follow-Up next Sunday, March 15, and we’d love for you to join us. As a thank you for your support, you’ll be able to RSVP at no additional cost.”

Photo opportunities will be available with players on that date for event ticket holders, the Heat said, as well as food sampling from Arena restaurant partners, and interactive games and activities.

Because proceeds benefit the Miami Heat Charitable Fund, the Heat are offering the opportunity to keep the contributions through ticket sales in place or refunds at ticketsales@heat.com. Even those requesting refunds will be admitted to the rescheduled event at no additional charge.