Projected starting lineup & rotation for Heat's NBA season opener vs Magic

The Miami Heat tip off the 2024-25 NBA season on Wednesday night against the Orlando Magic at Kaseya Center as they try to keep the good vibes rolling from the preseason.

Coach Erik Spoelstra has committed to a starting lineup of Terry Rozier, Tyler Herro, Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo that out-scored its four preseason opponents by 18 total points.

But, as Butler said, “Now it starts to get real.”

Besides the starters, Spoelstra has some decisions to make with the rest of the rotation. Internally, the Heat continue to point to their depth and continuity as reasons for optimism. They believe almost everyone on the roster, two-ways included, can contribute minutes.

More of the Heat’s rotation questions will be answered on opening night.

This means Spoelstra has 17 players (14 on standard contracts, three on two-ways) to choose from when whittling down his rotation. 

Among the biggest remaining questions is how Spoelstra will handle the backup point guard position. He used both Alec Burks and Dru Smith as Rozier’s backup in the preseason, and the option remains to stagger Rozier and Herro. 

Expect Smith to get minutes on opening night. Despite questions from fans, Spoelstra remains high on the 26-year-old guard, appreciating his no-frills approach, table-setting ability and effort on defense.

So where does that leave the rest of the rotation?

Duncan Robinson, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Haywood Highsmith and Kevin Love appear to be locks in the second unit for now. Thomas Bryant and Burks could make an appearance if someone ahead of them slips into foul trouble.

Others like Kel’el Ware, Pelle Larsson and Josh Richardson appear to be on the outside looking in. Ditto for two-way guys Keshad Johnson and Josh Christopher.

The Heat's projected opening-night rotation

PG: Rozier / Smith* / Burks
SG: Herro / Robinson
SF: Butler / Jaquez
PF: Jovic / Highsmith
C: Adebayo / Love / Bryant

An update on Richardson: His surgically repaired shoulder has been cleared for contact, but he sustained a heel injury in practice this week that will likely sideline him for opening night.

The Heat’s opponent, the Magic, are the defending Southeast division champs. They ranked third in defensive rating last season but in the bottom 10 in offensive rating. They added Kentaious Caldwell-Pope in the summer, a reliable 3-point shooter who should help space the floor, and Orlando expects breakout seasons from Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner. 

The Heat went 3-1 against the Magic last season.