MIAMI (AP) — When injuries hit the Miami Heat, coach Erik Spoelstra usually says the same three-word phrase.
“We have enough,” he says.
That theory will be put to the test — and will be the subject of the final game of Friday’s mini-tournament.
All four teams — Miami and Chicago in the Eastern Conference, as well as New Orleans and Sacramento in the West — have serious injury problems ahead of their matchups that will decide the eighth seeds in each bracket. Miami and New Orleans will have home court advantage; the winners will face top seeds Boston and Oklahoma City in the first round of the playoffs that begin Sunday.
The Heat (46-36) are preparing to be without Jimmy Butler, Terry Rozier and possibly Duncan Robinson against the Bulls (39-43), who lost point guard Alex Caruso to a sprained ankle in Wednesday’s victory against Atlanta.
The Pelicans (49-33) are without Zion Williamson, due to a hamstring injury, against the Kings (46-36), who will be without their starters Kevin Huerter and Malik Mont, who have been out in the last weeks due to injuries.
“We’re going to do it the hard way,” Spoelstra admitted. “That has to be the way right now. Let’s rest, treat ourselves and support each other to be ready for Friday. “It will be competitive against our home fans.”
The Bulls and Heat duel is a rematch of the last duel of last year’s mini-tournament in the East, when Chicago led by three with the final 3:47 minutes before being outscored 15-1 the rest of the game.
“I remember the trip home very vividly,” Bull guard DeMar DeRozan admitted. “Everyone was frustrated. That feeling sucked. I know for me that has been on my mind since we found out we were going back to Miami — not having the same feeling.”
Sacramento advanced in the West by eliminating Golden State on Tuesday. New Orleans lost its chance to clinch the seventh seed on Tuesday against the Los Angeles Lakers.
2024-04-18 21:45:00
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