In a crucial matchup with the Golden State Warriors, the Miami Heat were dealt with a blow as it was revealed Jimmy Butler was ruled out due to an illness. Miami pulled out all their tricks defensively to keep the game close with a mix of zone and full-court pressure, but the lack of scoring caught up to them and were ultimately overwhelmed by the Warriors, losing 113-92 Tuesday night at the Kaseya Center.
During this stretch when the Miami Heat need to rack up wins, injuries continue to pile up.
Heat Nation knows Erik Spoelstra and the Heat work in the no-excuse business. But any team missing its two best shooters and its leading scorer will struggle offensively. Outside of Bam Adebayo and Terry Rozier, few players were a threat to get a shot on their own or create offense consistently to make the Warriors defense adjust.
In the second quarter, Miami had a lineup of Delon Wright, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Haywood Highsmith, Caleb Martin and Thomas Bryant. The lack of spacing was alarming, but Spoelstra's creative defensive schemes kept the game close, and the Heat actually built a lead with Adebayo and Highsmith as the two main catalysts.
A Bam block followed by Highsmith in transition 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/zsyh35mNCh
— Bally Sports Sun: HEAT (@BallyHEAT) March 27, 2024
"It had a chance to be one of those games that are really gratifying where you win, where it's in the mud, ugly, with some really inspiring defensive plays," Spoelstra said.
The Heat played their style of basketball in the first half. But in the second half, Miami's offensive woes began to bleed into their defense.
A major adjustment Steve Kerr made was using Andrew Wiggins' length to limit Rozier. Wiggins did an impressive job defending Rozier and caused the Heat's offense to rely heavily on Adebayo. Adebayo did the best he could and scored 24 points while hitting another three, but the lack of threats around him kept Miami's offense in a rut.
As March winds down, the Heat find themselves staring at another play-in tournament berth. The same spot they were in a year ago -- in which they were nearly eliminated. But unlike last season, Spoelstra and the coaching staff had a good idea of who was going to be in the playoff rotation and what lineups would work best.
The Heat had to use their 35th different starting lineup of the season on Tuesday. Though he won't admit it, it has to be difficult for Spoelstra to cobble together rotations and decide which players will close in tight games.
It's unclear if the Heat will ever be close to full strength. But with 10 games left, hopefully, Miami can get most of their bodies back and find some momentum going into April.
"They knew was it was about, we knew what it was about," Spoelstra said. "These are must-wins for both teams going down the stretch and they were able to get the job done tonight."