After a lot of optimism early on, the Miami Heat have endured an up-and-down start to the 2024-25 season.
This team has a lot of depth, but it’s been tough finding a rotation that has worked. Jimmy Butler’s ankle injury hasn’t made that any easier, but coach Erik Spoelstra made the adjustments to get the job done in the most recent win against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Veteran big Kevin Love made his season debut and received the start at power forward, alongside Bam Adebayo. Haywood Highsmith got the spot start in place of the injured Butler to round out the frontcourt, as Terry Rozier and Tyler Herro remained in the backcourt.
Love’s presence was felt in limited minutes, finishing with 6 points, 6 rebounds and a +10 plus/minus when on the floor. He had a transition 3-pointer and some nice dump off passes to Adebayo. Love even had one of his signature full court assists to Rozier in the second half. It was a successful debut, as he brought an impact for himself and others with his starting lineup insertion. He brings a level of poise and trust in Spoelstra's frontcourt, along with his reliable floor spreading and rebounding skills.
It wound up being the most notable rotation switch, which benched Nikola Jovic. The third-year player in Jovic started the season off well, but his fit in the starting lineup proved to be a bit questionable as the games went on. He found himself receiving zero minutes of playing time in each of the previous two second halves. Spoelstra was addressed about the cut in his minutes:
When asked about Niko Jovic's reduced minutes, Spoelstra responded, "He knows what the deal is. There has to be a level of energy and effort... The game gets into double digits, you're grasping for whatever... If something is not working, I’m paid to make decisions..." pic.twitter.com/8jIubpUydD
— FanDuel Sports Network Florida & Sun (@FanDuelSN_FL) November 9, 2024
It was a different story in the Heat-Wolves matchup, as Jovic responded with 15 points and 7 rebounds on 54% shooting, including a game-winning bucket. However, the starting lineup change pushed him to a bench role, where he looked more comfortable and motivated. In the second unit, without Rozier and Herro on the court, Jovic can play more of his natural point forward position.
Several times, he pushed the ball in transition and created at the basket. Jovic's best ability is his playmaking, and perhaps the second unit gives him more opportunities to do so.
Starting Love is one of the only ways that can be possible while keeping functional size with the starters. He has the rebounding skills and interior presence that can complement Adebayo’s versatility on the defensive end. Keeping Love on opposing centers and having Adebayo free to roam on switches out on the perimeter has worked in the past, with the Heat’s win against the Wolves being no different.
In Love's minutes alongside Adebayo, the Heat also kept playing time open for Kel’el Ware, who brought energy in relief of Adebayo.
It is unclear if a Love addition to the starting lineup is here to stay, but it could be a frontcourt move that benefits several key rotation guys.