Miami Heat: Erik Spoelstra Facing Familiar Challenge With Lineup Improv
By Isiah Curry
Although it might’ve happened sooner than most would’ve predicted, the Miami Heat saw two realities on Thursday night. One, was that they lost convincingly to the Boston Celtics after leaving most of their offense at Dallas and two, their historically-dominant start to the 2021-22 season was practically erased.
In a substandard 17-point defeat, the Heat crashed down to earth against a Celtics team who were in deep search of regaining their team-continuity. To twist the knife further, an ankle-injury would transpire for Kyle Lowry near the end of the third quarter, as the Heat’s floor-general wouldn’t return on a night where not much else could go wrong.
Must Read. Bam Adebayo’s Success Has Lot To Do With Rim-Proximity. light
The good news, though, is that Lowry reportedly didn’t suffer any ligament damage, as he shouldn’t miss extended time going forward. However, a gaping-hole in the Heat’s rotation has been magnified, as they’re are already without key-reserve, Max Strus.
Strus had recently endured a left knee injury on Saturday against Memphis and is expected to miss, at least, a couple of weeks. As a result, the deck has now shifted for the Heat’s 14-year coach, Erik Spoelstra.
He now faces another challenge. That would be constructing a a successful rotation, which has been a heavily criticized characteristic of his Miami tenure.