The Miami Heat will have Kelly Olynyk available tonight against the Philadelphia 76ers.
Apparently, good things do come in pairs.
Just a few days after Rodney McGruder returned to full speed play with the Miami Heat’s G-League affiliate, the Sioux Falls Force, Kelly Olynyk is set to hit the hardwood.
Whether by divine intervention or simple medical science, Olynyk’s return is a fortuitous turn of events for the Heat. In the six games he’s missed with a shoulder injury, the Heat have posted four losses.
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Olynyk occupies a unique space on Miami’s roster. At seven-feet tall, he’s the only center on the Heat to shoot over 35 percent from downtown – not including Hassan Whiteside’s miraculous 2-for-2 on 3-point attempts.
In addition to stretching the floor, Olynyk 5.5 rebounds per game bolster the team on defense. The Heat are 11th in the league in opponents second chance points, allowing 11.5 per game. Without Olynyk in the last four games in particular, that number jumped to 16.5, good for third most in the league over that stretch.
Deus ex machina still isn’t entirely rewriting Miami’s script, however. While Olynyk is available for tonight’s game against the Philadelphia 76ers, he’s not feeling entirely confident about his shoulder.
"“It just doesn’t feel like my right shoulder,” Olynyk told the Sun Sentinel. So, if you know that, then you know it’s not the same.”"
Finding a rhythm after a shoulder injury can be an arduous process. Miami’s opponent knows this all too well; Sixers rookie Markelle Fultz’s shoulder has kept him out of action for virtually the entire season, claiming his once capable shooting stroke in the process.
On the positive side, any minutes for Olynyk will be healthy to his rehabilitation. Olynyk’s injury coincided with the All-Star break, so he hasn’t seen NBA-speed gameplay in over two weeks.
Despite Miami’s weakening grasp on eighth place in the Eastern Conference, head coach Erik Spoelstra isn’t in any rush to have Olynyk return.
"“I won’t play him big minutes if he plays. We’ll figure it out,” Spoelstra said. “But, man, we’re all excited about hopefully getting him back in the mix. We look different when he’s out there.”"
While Justise Winslow praised Miami’s depth even in Olynyk’s absence, the reality looked much bleaker. Spoelstra has appeared out of touch with his lineups and rotations of late, and the reemergence of black holes in Miami’s third quarter hasn’t done them any service. At this point in the season, the Heat still rank last in third quarter scoring.
Facing Philadelphia for the third of four meets this season, the Heat will need Olynyk to return to form sooner rather than later. Miami still has a three-game cushion ahead of the Detroit Pistons in ninth, but that difference boils down to a win streak away from booking an early vacation.
Next: The Miami Heat Tip Off, Week Two: Rotation changes are coming
The second game of a five-game home stand, the Heat will face the Sixers at 7:30 PM ET.