Banged-up Heat have ‘all hands on deck’ – South Florida Sun Sentinel

MIAMI Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said earlier in the week that our guys are not ignorant of how important the last few weeks of the season are.

Miami has little time to improve its position in the standings the 39-33 Heat currently sit in seventh place in the Eastern Conference, one game behind the sixth-place Pacers. If Miami wants to better its playoff position, upcoming games against struggling teams like Portland on Friday and Washington on Sunday are crucial.

Were ready to go, Spoelstra said. At this time of year, were trying to play our best game to get wins, regardless of who were playing, how were playing, where were playing. Thats where we are right now. Were coming off a tough loss the other night. But the opportunitys still there for us. Thats what we have to just continue to understand. There can be disappointments during the season. Theres ups and downs. You ultimately are what your record says you are. But theres opportunities in front of us if we can take advantage of it.

But several key players are dealing with injuries, limiting them when they play or keeping them off the court completely.

Guard Tyler Herro is set to miss his 17th straight game due to tendinitis in his right foot, though he was shooting during Miamis practice on Thursday.

We dont have a timeline, but its definitely encouraging for him to get on the wood and try to get ready, Spoelstra said. This is part of the amp up. This is part of the plan. And theres a lot of encouraging things.

Forward Duncan Robinson will miss his fifth straight game due to left facet syndrome, a back injury. He was watching practice Thursday.

Right now, it has to be this idea of all hands on deck, Spoelstra said. But it has to be in an intelligent way. Were trying to get back guys out there as quickly as we possibly can. Theyre doing whatever they have to do around the clock to make themselves available. Ultimately, all of this becomes about committing to something bigger than yourself, giving to the team whatever you can give at this time of year. And then each case is different. Everybodys body is different. Everybodys rehab is different. Everybodys place in that part of the ramp up is different.

But its not all bad news for the Heat.

Star Jimmy Butler, who missed the Heats loss to Golden State on Tuesday, participated in part of practice Thursday and is listed as probable for Fridays contest against Portland. Forward Kevin Love, who has missed 14 games with a bruised right heel, is listed as probable, as are Caleb Martin and Jaime Jaquez Jr.

For the available players, the focus remains on the game ahead of them, center Bam Adebayo said.

If youre available, youre available to play, Adebayo said. If youre not, get as much treatment as you can to get back on the court.

The Trail Blazers feature a young team. Earlier this month, they became the second team since 1971 to start five rookies in a game (with a group that included former Chaminade-Madonna star Toumani Camara). Although Portland is second-to-last in the Western Conference, that energy can make them dangerous, Spoelstra said.

The one thing you can definitely expect is theres going to be a great deal of speed, athleticism, quickness, energy, youthful enthusiasm, Spoelstra said. All of those things, on any given night, can be extremely dangerous.

Chauncey (Billups) has that group playing really hard, and they dont have the pressure of anything. We have to continue to do what weve been talking about. we have to get a lot more consistent to our identity night in, night out, and be our best version also offensively (so) we can put some points on the board.

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Banged-up Heat have 'all hands on deck' - South Florida Sun Sentinel