Heat-Wizards preview: Projected rotations, injury report and how to watch

The Miami Heat will travel to Mexico City for a Saturday night showcase against the Washington Wizards, a team they should beat but is coming off back-to-back wins.

On the same Wednesday night that the Heat fell to the New York Knicks, the Wizards completed a home-and-home sweep of the Atlanta Hawks, beating them by a combined 15 points across the two games.

The Wizards are young but have proven to be a plucky competitor. Guard Jordan Poole is averaging 22.5 points on 46.7% shooting and has been much more efficient than his first season in Washington. Meanwhile, forward Bilal Coulibaly is turning heads in his second season, averaging 18.8 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.5 steals in four games.

The Heat enter Saturday’s 9:30 pm ET tip facing questions about their starting lineup, Bam Adebayo’s fit in a new five-out offense and Jimmy Butler’s waxing and waning effort. The Heat have beaten the teams they are supposed to beat (Charlotte and Detroit) this season, but these international games can be unpredictable because of the travel and altered start times.

Injury report

Kevin Love and Duncan Robinson did not travel with Miami for personal reasons, but Josh Richardson did. Richardson has yet to play this season as he recovers from shoulder surgery and a heel injury.

Wizards forward Kyle Kuzma will remain sidelined due to his groin strain, according to Josh Robbins of The Athletic. The injury, which occurred on Monday, kept Kuzma out of action for Wednesday’s win.

Projected lineups

For the Heat: Terry Rozier, Tyler Herro, Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo

For the Wizards: Jordan Poole, Carlton Carrington, Kyshawn George, Bilal Coulibaly, Alex Sarr

How to watch

NBA TV, FanDuel Sports Network (formerly Bally Sports) and NBA League Pass.