An analysis of Wednesday night’s Miami Heat-Denver Nuggets

MIAMI – Observations and other notes of interest from Wednesday night’s 103-102 victory over the Detroit Pistons at Kaseya Center:

– Yes, there is no such thing as must-win in the first of 82 regular-season games.

– And yet based on what now follows, a three-game trip to Boston, Minnesota (on the second night of a back-to-back) and Milwaukee, this was needed.

– And necessary.

– Because it will be interesting to see how the Heat handle the Boston-Minnesota back-to-back when starting a trio of 30-somethings.

– As expected, Heat coach Erik Spoelstra opened with a lineup of Bam Adebayo, Kevin Love, Jimmy Butler, Tyler Herro and Kyle Lowry.

– That after some camp suspense about whether Lowry would start or come off the bench, as he did during last season’s playoffs.

– “When he’s healthy, which he is right now, and he’s fit,” Spoelstra said pregame. “he’s going to find a way to impact the game and do all the stuff that I’ve admired about him for so many years.”

– Spoelstra also said of Lowry, “Kyle’s in a great place. So we’re talking about a highly decorated, proven All-Star at that position for so many years. He played his best basketball when it mattered the most, especially late in the postseason.”

– Even with Josh Richardson (foot) and Haywood Highsmith, Spoelstra noted his team’s depth.

– “We feel like we have enough guys to play and fill in,” he said. “There’ll probably be a little bit of a bigger rotation than typical, but it’s also the beginning of the year, so that’s OK.”

– In addition to Richardson and Highsmith, Cole Swider was inactive.

– With Heat operating with a 14-player roster, they can have two-way players active for a total of 90 times. So that limit is now 88, with R.J. Hampton and Jamal Cain active on Wednesday night.

– The Pistons targeted the defense of Love early.

– And often.

– To his credit, Love compensated by converting 3-pointers.

– And again flashing his outlet-passing skills.