Heading into the most critical part of their late-season schedule, the Miami Heat will welcome the returns of both Tyler Herro and Norman Powell as they prepare to face off against the Orlando Magic. It's a move that could end up changing their entire playoff outlook.
The Heat are currently sitting in the 6th seed of the Eastern Conference and are just 0.5 games back of the Magic for the 5th seed. However, with just three games separating the 5th seed and the 9th seed, the Heat will have its hands full down the stretch.
The Heat get a huge lifeline for the stretch run
Every game means so much more for a team that is desperately trying to avoid the Play-In Tournament for a fourth-straight season. Getting both Herro and Powell back at just the right time is no small development.
Especially if Powell can return to his All-Star form from earlier this season, this is the type of return that can spark the Heat heading into the NBA Playoffs.
Of course, with both Herro and Powell available for the Heat Saturday night, the big question will revolve around how they will be used.
Miami has played great basketball of late, mostly with Herro in the starting lineup. If Erik Spoelstra wants to keep that momentum alive, there's reason to believe that Powell will come off the bench, even if it is just initially.
Will Norman Powell come off the bench?
The only potential issue with that is Powell hasn't played off the bench at all this season. In every game he's played in, he's been in the starting 5. That doesn't mean that Spo would resort to changing things up, but there's at least some question about whether he'd make such a move this late in the season.
But, again, the Heat has played some of its best basketball of late. Miami has won seven in a row and nine of its last 12 overall. Powell only played in those first five games, and not in any of their last seven.
It's certainly a big decision that Spo will have to make, but it could also be one of those things that he shouldn't overthink.
Even though Spo has said publicly that he doesn't hold much weight in who starts, he's also never shied away from making changes.
No matter where Powell plays, he'll have the opportunity to help fortify the Heat heading down the stretch.
If Powell embraces a role off the bench, and he excels in it, he could be a game-changing addition for the Heat in one of the most important stretches of the season. And that will pay many dividends, both on and off the floor.
With the return of Powell and Herro, everything may have changed for the Heat's playoff outlook.