Can Miami Heat make right with height in time for playoffs?
Q: It is fun watching the Heat’s All-Defensive team on the court. And we have playoff Jimmy Butler. Assuming the Heat can get by a few teams in the playoffs, and are going for the prize, how are the Heat going to get by Kristaps Porzingis (Boston) and Nikola Jokic (Denver)? These are both highly skilled players. Don’t the Heat need at least someone who can get a hand in their face? At least block their vision? It is way too easy for them against the Heat. Do the Heat have an answer for teams with skilled players with length and size? – Stuart, Miami.
A: And don’t forget about Joel Embiid, who remains on track to return ahead of the playoffs. Honestly, it will have to be as the Heat have done during their previous playoff runs – with plenty of counter strategy by Erik Spoelstra. Still, with Thomas Bryant not measuring up as the Heat had hoped, and with Orlando Robinson not an answer, that could be why Nikola Jovic is being given every opportunity to succeed as a starter. Mostly it will be a lot of fronting in the post, traps, double-teams and basically junk defenses. And it won’t be the same against Kristaps Porzingis as Joel Embiid as Nikola Jokic. It will be a study of attempting to find any and every opposing weaknesses. That’s when the secret Spoelstra files will come into play.
Q: How much do you think the Kyle Lowry trade reversed that seven-game losing streak? – Carlos, West Park.
A: I’m not sure much, if at all, considering Terry Rozier, especially in light of his knee injury, hardly fully has hit stride yet with the Heat. What I would say is that the shift from Kyle Lowry has created a needed spark with Terry’s speed and quickness. The Heat needed some sort of jolt. Terry has provided that. Next the question is whether it endures. The past few games have been encouraging. But don’t discount what Kyle was able to achieve in being disruptive in halfcourt defense with his savvy. That could become apparent in a postseason series against the Knicks or Celtics.
Q: I think we finish in the No. 2 or No. 3 seed. We’re going back to the Finals, but this time we win it all. – Papi.
A: Thank you for the heads up. This makes my travel planning easier. (But Boston isn’t going to be caught, and Milwaukee is trending in a direction that will have them in the top three. Plus, the Cavaliers have been settling in at the top, as well.)
