The Heat aren’t complaining about their injury situation as they prepare to host Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals, writes Tim Reynolds of The Associated Press.
Jimmy Butler became the latest addition to the injured list, twisting an ankle in the latter stages of his magnificent performance Friday night in Boston. Butler, who is expected to play Sunday, is also dealing with inflammation in his right knee that forced him to miss the second half of Game 3. Kyle Lowry, Gabe Vincent and Max Strus all have hamstring issues, and Tyler Herro has missed the last three games due to a strained groin.
“This time of year, there’s nobody 100% healthy, both sides,” P.J. Tucker said. “I’m sure they got a bunch of guys, too, just trying to figure it out and give what they can. Try to win. That’s it. You can’t get these days back. It’s living in the moment, trying to just do what you can.”
There’s more from Miami:
- The Heat are adopting a “wait and see” approach regarding Herro’s status for Game 7, tweets Nick Friedell of ESPN. Coach Erik Spoelstra told reporters that Herro will have a daytime workout on Sunday, and the medical staff will determine whether he’s able to play. Spoelstra said before Friday’s game that Herro has “made progress” with the injury, but added that sitting him out was “the most responsible decision for us,” Friedell states in a full story.
- In an interview with Ira Winderman of The Sun Sentinel, ESPN’s Bobby Marks projects the value of 12 Miami players for next season as if they were all free agents. Among the most interesting is Victor Oladipo, who actually will be a free agent — Marks believes Oladipo will be worth the $10.3MM non-taxpayer mid-level exception after playing on a veteran’s minimum deal this season. The Heat have Bird rights on the two-time All-Star, so they wouldn’t need to use their MLE to re-sign him at that number, but Winderman isn’t sure that the organization is willing to offer that much.
- The Heat were fined $25K for “violating league rules regarding team bench decorum,” the NBA announced on Twitter. The league said players stood for an extended time in the bench area, stood away from the bench and were encroaching on the court during Friday’s game.
Heat are so much more respectable than the Celtics. The Heat continue to find ways to play despite the injuries they have. The Celtics mean while cry about every little nic nac that happens to them. Look at Tatum, he tweaks his shoulder and then all of a sudden forgets how to walk
Both very respectable franchises. Your creating a narrative that doesn’t exist
These pro’s take a beating, and their vessels (bodies) are worth 10’s of millions of dollars…. Adrenaline and fear play a lot into these TV injs…. better to let the adrenaline wear off and access the damage than be a tough guy. Some, like the camera time more than others; including my fav player all time Kobe under these circumstances, nothing to do w earning your respect at home. Future whistles play into it as well
It’s the cold hard truth. Sure, the Celtics of the past were respectable, but this new age team is the biggest crybabies. Everytime they lose they cry that the refs screwed them. They are straight puss.
“they are straight puss”
All right then,.
Lol.
Lowry fouled Horford from the bench after he had fouled out at the end of game 6. I don’t respect cheaters.
Game #7 …………. In Miami
Let’s do this ………
Who you got Al?
I’ve been rooting for Heat. But wondered about their health and facing Warriors hurt. They’ve won me over again. They are a gutsy team, like that. Gotta go with Heat
It’s hard to root against Miami. They are so gutsy, I love their coaching, and they have shooting. They have individual great players like Bam and Jimmy and with guys like PJ Tucker they won’t give up. Oladipo too.
But on paper I just like Boston. We’ve seen they can’t win at home but they can win on the road. They’ve got the scorers and they’re gutsy in their own right. I think they get it done tomorrow.
As a fan of neither team, I agree the Celtics are the superior (or so it would seem) team. As long as they are not careless and sloppy I expect them to win. If both teams play their A game, Boston’s should be better. But I find the Heat team and style more enjoyable to watch, and the incessant complaining of Celtic fans (now that I live in Celtic country) about the reffing and being cheated is intolerable. The smuggest fan base I know. They make cowboy and yankee fans seem like rational people
Unless Butler puts up another 40 pt game, I tend to agree.
By the way, I believe losing PJ Tucker is a huge huge reason the Milwaukee Bucks are sitting at home tonight.
That….or perhaps, Middleton?
Every contender has a PJ Tucker. Celtics have Williams. Warriors have Dra. But yeah no Middleton is huge. The Heat healthy or Bucks healthy. Imo are best teams.
Warriors with their chips dna. Know exactly how close they are. They got good depth of guys who’ve never won. I’m sure they are all on same page about winning.
This Finals should be a good one. Cause you got two teams in Heat and Celtics who can D up the Warriors. Not saying they will stop them. But can do enough to make stops. Can play D in closing out gms. Their D is significant enough to make a difference. Should be good Finals no matter who goes.
Go Heat ……
Heat are saying that
they can easily defeat Celtics if they are 100% condition
Well they’re not 100% condition so now what?
Oladipo is an interesting FA. I can see he’s come a long way back. I tell that by watching him play D. He moves well and does not back down. Imo he can be a very productive rotation player. Probably even start for right team. As he keeps progressing and getting in better playing shape.
Bam simply needs to play like an All Star for Heat to advance. Lowry, Tucker, Butler will all show up… but Bam needs to step up!
I agree, Boston has done a nice job of throwing bodies and looks at Bam. But he has disappointed so far (even against us last series). They have to find someway to get him more involved offensively and He needs to find a way to contribute and be this “all star” that he is supposed to be. I like Bam, perhaps that is why I BBC am disappointed by his play so far
Did you not watch how he didnt allow Embiid to catch the ball?
Talk about a freudian slip…
4 Heat starters +Herro wouldnt be playing if this was the regular season. Lowry cant even walk. Jimmy Butler is also hobbling around. PJ Tucker with multiple leg issues as well. If Herro somehow does come back, he is more important in a potential finals matchup, if they get there, than he is in Game 7
I could see Oladipo getting something in the $7 million range for 1 more year, before going for something longer. That being said, it depends what happens with the Lowry/the rest of the roster. Unless there are drastic changes, most of this team should be back, with little tweaks; what can they do to replace Caleb Martin, who they’re going to lose, getting rid of Markieff Morris, seeing what happens with Highsmith, the draft pick, etc
I said 3/$40 earlier… Dipo is already average offensively and great defensively. He is 30; basically two years off will add at least a year at the end. The MLE would be about 3/33. Not sure he would do better next year than 3/45 with his injury history.
That feels like a lot right now, and I also think it feels like a lot less than it could be for him after 1 full healthy year next year
I hope they re-sign everyone. Love this dam team.
Not a fan of the Heat but I am a fan of good ball. I find the Heat “this year” among the more enjoyable teams to watch in games where I don’t have a rooting interest. Butler may be my favorite player to watch.
As bulls fan,i love jimmy buttler.i was so mad when garpax traded him away for kriss “landing with ur teeth” dunn,laury “soft” markkanen,and zach “no defense” lavine. I hope jimmy get the ring.