ASK IRA: Will momentum be enough for Heat in NBA playoff race?
Q: This is the squad we expected to see all year. Is it happening right on time? – Swann.
A: No, it is happening too late, and that is the shame of it all. Yes, Wednesday night’s victory over the Knicks showed much of what the Heat can be when they are at their best. But the shame of it all is that by putting themselves behind the eight ball with so many hideous losses, that instead of being in the thick of the playoff race, they still have to rely on upcoming failings of others. That is what happens when you lose to the Pistons and Spurs and Magic and twice to the Hornets. Without those disasters, the Heat by now could have the play-in round in their rearview mirror. Instead, even with what the Heat showed Wednesday night, and even with winning seven of their last 10, the play-in still remains where the Heat reside at the moment. And that’s with just eight games remaining in their regular season.
Q: How was Kyle Lowry listed on the injury report as questionable with knee soreness even after three days off? – Leo.
A: Much of that is procedural. If a player is dealing with an ailment, he must, by rule, be listed. And with Kyle Lowry’s knee pain likely something that will keep him out during games amid back-to-backs (the Heat have two such sets remaining), he could well be on the injury report at least through the balance of the regular season. The Heat already have been fined by the NBA because of their injury reporting, so the approach largely will be that when in doubt, list it out (or questionable or probable or doubtful). The gambling element has heightened attention on injury reports
Q: Haywood Highsmith over Omer Yurtseven? What? – Michael.
A: This point of the season is all about and only about trust. What is clear is that Erik Spoelstra trusts Haywood Highsmith more than Omer Yurtseven. Not, mind you, that Haywood didn’t make it harrowing more than a few times when he was on the court Wednesday night. I still could see an avenue for Orlando Robinson to get back into the mix in the Heat’s power rotation, possibly at the cost of Yurtseven. Still don’t overstate Haywood’s role, considering he still only played 4:05 (which, of course, is more than Omer’s 0:00).
()