Comment on Winderman’s view: Who was that masked man? A determined Jovic in Heat victory

Winderman’s view: Who was that masked man? A determined Jovic in Heat victory

Observations and other notes of interest from Friday night’s 124-111 victory over the Indiana Pacers: — Who was that masked man? — Well, actually, those masked men? — The difference is Jimmy Butler, sidelined again by his ankle sprain, was wearing a mask on the bench in solidarity. — Nikola Jovic was wearing it out of necessity. — And put together his best half of the season over Friday night’s opening two periods. — Requiring the additional protection after breaking his nose in a blood mess in the first quarter of Tuesday night’s overtime loss in Detroit, Jovic arguably was as aggressive as he has been all season in the first half. — Arguably even more so. — Uncertain of the fit of the specially molded protection, Jovic fiddled with it in the pregame locker room. — The 6-foot-10 first-round pick in 2022 then played as if he had no concern in the world. — For as much as he struggled as a starter, Jovic’s versatility paid dividends off the bench. — From there, Kevin Love took over with his offense at the start of the second half. — Love-followed-by-Jovic seems like the way to go going forward. — Even when Butler returns. — Which could be as soon as Sunday. — Butler will be back without a mask for that one. Related Articles Miami Heat | Heat bounce back from Detroit debacle with 124-111 NBA Cup win in Indiana Miami Heat | Heat find short game a work in progress; a potentially heartening Butler sighting Miami Heat | Heat’s Kel’el Ware maximizing his diet of what is being offered in rookie season Miami Heat | ASK IRA: Could Heat’s Tyler Herro prove to be one who got away from Blazers? Miami Heat | Heat to remain without Jimmy Butler as they attempt to shake off fiasco in Detroit — But after this one, the question is whether Jovic can be convinced to eventually part with his empowering protection. — With Butler again out, the Heat opened for a third consecutive game with a lineup of Love, Bam Adebayo, Haywood Highsmith, Tyler Herro and Terry Rozier. — The game was Adebayo’s 500th career regular-season appearance. — Jaime Jaquez Jr.

 

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