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Tyler Herro, Duncan Robinson out again for Heat, but Kevin Love upgraded to questionable

Ira Winderman, South Florida Sun-Sentinel
·4 min read

MIAMI — The Miami Heat’s injury report for Tuesday night’s game against the Golden State Warriors came Monday with both hope and ongoing cold realities.

The hope came in the form of Kevin Love for the first time in nearly a month being upgraded to questionable, with the veteran backup center having missed the past 13 games with a bruised right heel sustained when Portland Trail center Deandre Ayton fell on him in the Heat’s Feb. 27 road victory.

But there also was the reality of guard Tyler Herro being listed out for a 16th consecutive game with what now is listed as medial tendinitis in his right foot. Herro last played in the Feb. 23 road victory over the New Orleans Pelicans, when he limped off the court late in that game.

In addition, guard Duncan Robinson will miss a fourth consecutive game with left facet syndrome, the back injury that took him out of the March 18 road loss to the Philadelphia 76ers.

Then there is rookie wing Jaime Jaquez Jr., who missed Sunday night’s victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers at Kaseya Center and is listed as questionable for Tuesday with left-ankle discomfort.

Also listed as questionable is forward Caleb Martin, who played Sunday through ankle pain.

The Heat are listing as available Bam Adebayo (back) and Jamal Cain (thumb). The team also has brought back guard Alondes Williams from the G League.

To coach Erik Spoelstra, it’s all just another day at the office.

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“I’m not even thinking about frustration, I’m just thinking about, ‘What do we need to do to prepare, put ourselves in a position to win?’ ” he said. “You have to attack whatever your reality is and not overwhelm yourself with things you can’t control.

“We’ve proven that when we get consistent to our identity, it doesn’t matter in the short term who is available and who’s not. And we’re wrapping our minds around to get the job done by any means necessary.”

The Heat’s victory Sunday marked the 50th game this season the Heat was without at least one of their three leading scorers, with Herro having missed 35 games, Jimmy Butler 21 and Adebayo 11.

Streak ends

Adebayo’s career-best streak of five games with at least one 3-pointer ended Sunday, when he missed his lone attempt.

Adebayo joked that as he sat out the fourth quarter of the blowout win he weighed asking back in to extend the streak.

But to Spoelstra, the step forward from beyond the arc in recent games was another testament to the evolution of his center.

“I love that about Bam,” Spoelstra said, “that he just continues to work that improvement. And that’s also a talent in this league, to have a work ethic and a commitment to constantly grow. He’s been able to add things that have been necessary, particularly against the better defenses.

“Will he be a volume 3-point shooter at this time? That’s not necessarily what we’re looking for. But that’s a good look for him, especially when teams just totally sag off.”

With his 15 points and 16 rebounds Sunday, Adebayo moved into third place on the Heat’s all-time double-double list, at 186, now trailing only Rony Seikaly (221) and Alonzo Mourning (205). His 37 double-doubles this season are three off the career high he set in 2019-20. Sunday’s game also was his 27th career game with at least 15 rebounds and 15 points.

Still going

Having already produced a 55-point game this season with the Heat’s G League affiliate, Williams, who is on a two-way contract, scored 45 in the Sunday victory that moved the Sioux Falls Skyforce closer to a Western Conference title.

Williams closed his outburst 16 of 23 from the field, including 6 of 11 on 3-pointers. He also had nine assists in the 113-111 victory over the Cavaliers’ G League affiliate.

The victory moved former Heat forward Kasib Powell into second-place on the Skyforce all-time coaching wins list.

The G League regular season ends Saturday, with the playoffs opening April 2.