Two games left, starting with Friday night against the Pelicans. The Miami Heat are virtually locked into the 10th seed, but coach Erik Spoelstra says he’s not changing his approach.
“We're going to treat it the same in terms of our rotation,” Spoelstra told reporters in New Orleans. “I won't scoreboard watch. We're just focused on tonight and our business.”
You could argue there’s more to gain from resting key players but, hey, that’s Spoelstra’s decision.
Here’s what to know for Friday night’s tilt.
How to watch Heat at Pelicans
Time: 8 pm ET
Location: Smoothie King Center, New Orleans
TV: FanDuel Sports Network
Stream: NBA League Pass, Fubo
Notable injuries
Despite my lobbying not to do so, the Heat are playing most of their guys. Bam Adebayo, who sat out Monday’s win in Philadelphia because of back spasms, is off the injury report.
Tyler Herro (thigh contusion), Andrew Wiggins (right hamstring), Duncan Robinson (lower back), Alec Burks (lower back) and Haywood Highsmith (Achilles soreness) are all expected to be available.
Pelle Larsson is out with a right ankle sprain, while Nikola Jovic (hand), Dru Smith (Achilles) and Kevin Love (personal reasons) remain out.
For the Pelicans, Brandon Boston, Bruce Brown, Jordan Hawkins, Herb Jones, CJ McCollum, Yves Missi, Trey Murphy III, Dejounte Murray, Kelly Olynyk and Zion Williamson are all out. Jose Alvarado is questionable.
Quick scout
The Pelicans’ season was derailed by injuries, and they are more concerned about making more out of the draft lottery than the remainder of this season. They’ve lost five straight entering Friday night.
Key matchups
There aren’t any. If the Heat really want to win this game, there’s no reason why they shouldn’t.
Two games left, starting with Friday night against the Pelicans. The Miami Heat are virtually locked into the 10th seed, but coach Erik Spoelstra says he’s not changing his approach.
“We're going to treat it the same in terms of our rotation,” Spoelstra told reporters in New Orleans. “I won't scoreboard watch. We're just focused on tonight and our business.”
You could argue there’s more to gain from resting key players but, hey, that’s Spoelstra’s decision.
Here’s what to know for Friday night’s tilt.
How to watch Heat at Pelicans
Time: 8 pm ET
Location: Smoothie King Center, New Orleans
TV: FanDuel Sports Network
Stream: NBA League Pass, Fubo
Notable injuries
Despite my lobbying not to do so, the Heat are playing most of their guys. Bam Adebayo, who sat out Monday’s win in Philadelphia because of back spasms, is off the injury report.
Tyler Herro (thigh contusion), Andrew Wiggins (right hamstring), Duncan Robinson (lower back), Alec Burks (lower back) and Haywood Highsmith (Achilles soreness) are all expected to be available.
Pelle Larsson is out with a right ankle sprain, while Nikola Jovic (hand), Dru Smith (Achilles) and Kevin Love (personal reasons) remain out.
For the Pelicans, Brandon Boston, Bruce Brown, Jordan Hawkins, Herb Jones, CJ McCollum, Yves Missi, Trey Murphy III, Dejounte Murray, Kelly Olynyk and Zion Williamson are all out. Jose Alvarado is questionable.
Quick scout
The Pelicans’ season was derailed by injuries, and they are more concerned about making more out of the draft lottery than the remainder of this season. They’ve lost five straight entering Friday night.
Key matchups
There aren’t any. If the Heat really want to win this game, there’s no reason why they shouldn’t.
Betting
The Heat are 15.5-point favorites on the road.
