Observations and other notes of interest from Thursday night’s 112-105 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks:
– This was the flip side of singular dominance.
– And yet an important side, perhaps even more meaningful in the long run than Bam Adebayo’s 83.
– Again without Tyler Herro, Norman Powell and Andrew Wiggins, the Heat had to search elsewhere for scoring.
– With Adebayo clearly on Tuesday-residue fumes.
– Basically, running on empty.
– Enter the kid stuff.
– With Pelle Larsson in attack mode.
– Kasparas Jakucionis scoring over the top.
– Kel’el Ware taking care of the boards.
– Even while shorthanded, the victory Tuesday practically was a given.
– Such are the wheezing Wizards.
– This one against the Bucks was not.
– So the Heat developmental pipeline did its part.
– As in the power of positive drafting.
– Something the Bucks in recent years have shown little of.
– So as the Bucks fall from the play-in race.
– The Heat rise in the playoff race.
– With Saturday’s showdown against the Magic looming.
– When a bit more in the support system would help.
– With it now two weeks without Powell on his week-to-week scheduling.
– A week without Wiggins.
– And obviously concern anytime that Herro is out.
– Still, Larsson stood tall when needed.
– With a decisive late 3-pointer.
– And Adebayo did get his typical numbers.
– As in winning numbers.
– With Herro (quad), Powell (groin) and Wiggins (toe) again out, the Heat opened for a double-big lineup, with Ware starting alongside Adebayo, along with Larsson, Davion Mitchell and Jakucionis.
– It left the Heat with their 23rd lineup of the season.
– It was the 22nd time Adebayo and Ware started together this season.
– Myron Gardner had started in that lineup Tuesday night when Ware was out with a shoulder strain.
– It was the 11th start of Jakucionis’ rookie season.
– True value at No. 20.
– The Bucks opened with a lineup of Giannis Antetokounmpo, Myles Turner, Kyle Kuzma, Kevin Porter Jr. and Ousmane Dieng.
– Jaime Jaquez Jr. was first off the Heat bench.
– Followed by Dru Smith.
– With Simone Fontecchio making it eight deep.
– And Gardner making his entrance fourth off the bench.
– To his credit, Adebayo came through when needed late.
– Nothing flashing.
– And percentages hardly efficient.
– But the Heat captain still found a way for his team to find a way.
– With Mitchell, Jaquez, Smith and Fontecchio also with their moments in this.
– So now a seven-game Heat winning streak.
– Longest since 2023-24.
– With a 9-2 record since the All-Star break.
– And a seven-game home winning streak going into the Magic matchup.