Winderman’s view: Kevin Love catches gritty spirit of Heat-Knicks in key win
Observations and other notes of interest from Wednesday night’s 127-120 victory over the New York Knicks:
– Say this about Kevin Love: He has brought a love of the game to the game.
– At a point of season when players and teams are dragging, Love has infused the Heat with vitality.
– All he wanted in Cleveland was the chance to play.
– He is savoring the opportunity with the Heat.
– And he looks like he fits right in with Heat-Knicks.
– No, in no way a leading man in this one.
– But a pest, a nuisance, and one heck of a TD fullcourt outlet pass to Jimmy Butler for an early score.
– He enjoys being here.
– And his teammates enjoy having him.
– All while appreciating that he is here to complement.
– A former All-Star willing to get on the floor.
– As long as he doesn’t keep taking blows to the head, there is value there.
– The Heat, as they have since acquiring Love, again opened with Love, Bam Adebayo, Butler, Tyler Herro and Gabe Vincent.
–Because the Heat have 16 available players – Kyle Lowry and Caleb Martin both were upgraded from questionable to available pregame – one of those 16 had to be inactive.
– That was Orlando Robinson, who remains with four NBA days left on his two-way contract. Cody Zeller (broken nose) also was inactive.
– Max Strus and Haywood Highsmith entered as the Heat’s first two reserves.
– That had Love moving to center.
– Instead of Omer Yurtseven entering.
– Kyle Lowry and Caleb Martin followed, for nine deep.
– With the appearance, Lowry tied Michael Jordan and Marvin Williams for 99th on the NBA all-time games list.
– The Heat again opened crossed matched, this time with Love on Knicks center Mitchell Robinson.
– That’s after Erik Spoelstra had Love opening defensively Saturday in Chicago against Bulls guard Patrick Beverley.
– “Each game is different,” Spoelstra said. “Kevin is a very experienced player. He’s played on some really good defensive teams before, especially his championship-contending teams and even the last two years. And he knows how to fit into a system.”
– Spoelstra added, “We feel comfortable with our system when we’re at our best, regardless of what the machups are. You have to do tough things in this league defensively.”
– Vincent’s second 3-pointer moved him past Daequan Cook for 20th on the Heat all-time list.
– Love’s second defensive rebound was the 6,900th of his career.
– Love’s sixth 3-point attempt was 4,200th of his career.
– Butler’s second rebound moved him past Billy Thompson for 15th on the Heat all-time list.
– Herro’s fifth made shot moved him past Bimbo Coles for 18th on the Heat all-time list.
– Lowry’s first steal tied Clifford Robinson for 61st on the NBA all-time list.
– Spoelstra confirmed pregame that Robinson, Jamal Cain and Nikola Jovic will return to the G League for the Sioux Falls Skyforce’s final two regular-season games this weekend.
– “We’re going for it, yeah,” Spoelstra said of the G League postseason. “And it’s really important for their development. That’s as important as any kind of drilling that we do or practices, weight room work, all the stuff in between that we do. But ultimately you have to learn how to apply all that stuff to be able to impact winning. And we have a great opportunity to not only make the playoffs but also secure a homecourt spot.”
– Spoelstra added, “And we take that very seriously. So, yes, they will be going. And that’s fun for them, as well. It is playoff-style basketball, much like what we’re facing right now And we want those to have these kinds of experiences.”
– There was a pregame moment of silence for Willis Reed.
– Dwyane Wade watched from the front row across from the Heat bench.
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