Fading In Stretch

Observations and other notes of interest from Monday night’s 109-98 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers: – Even before Monday night’s opening tip there was a reminder. – With Bam Adebayo forced out with the back contusion sustained in Saturday night’s victory in Portland, it was his first missed game of the season. – Leaving Tyler Herro as the lone Heat player to appear in all 38. – And that matters. – Because they show up, Adebayo going as far as to try to make it work throughout the day Monday in a bid to get on the court. – By contrast, Jimmy Butler missed 10 of the first 30, before his suspension rolled around. – No, there are gold stars for showing up. – This is the NBA; more is expected. – But for all the ups and downs of his season, Adebayo has shown up. – And for all the previous concerns about his attendance, Herro has been relentless. – Which will matter plenty when Herro is eligible for his extension this summer. – What the two could use is a bit more help. – Without Adebayo, Ivica Zubac was dominant in the middle for the Clippers. – And with little more than Terry Rozier, there isn’t much scoring relief for Herro. – And that’s where a Butler trade could ease the path for both. – No, perhaps not the haul Pat Riley would prefer. – But, still, a bit more in support could make all the difference in the competitive middle of the East playoff pack. – Particularly if the other option is a disinterested Butler. – Asked about where the Heat stood entering the night, Heat coach Erik Spoelstra was blunt. – “We’re the seventh seed in the East,” he said.

Pushing through without Jimmy Butler was a challenge of choice, a challenge overcome the previous three games, as the veteran forward remained in South Florida under team suspension. Winning without Butler and Bam Adebayo, however, proved too much to ask from the Miami Heat, with their three-game winning streak snapped with a 109-98 loss Monday night to the Los Angeles Clippers at the Intuit Dome. With Adebayo sidelined with the back contusion sustained in Saturday night’s victory over the Portland Trail Blazers, there simply wasn’t enough for Erik Spoelstra’s team on the fifth stop of this six-game trip. Not enough scoring after an early 13-point lead and 35-point first quarter. Not enough elsewhere from the offense beyond Tyler Herro’s 32 points. So a 20-18 record is it, in a crowded pack in the middle of the Eastern Conference playoff race. “You have to credit them.

General Daily Insight for January 14, 2025 Overdoing it could create hectic outcomes. The nurturing Moon first moves into exuberant Leo, bringing a flair for the dramatic while simultaneously inspiring care and loyalty. Then, Luna gets into a debate with chaotic Pluto, which can set off explosive emotions (not to mention the shocks that trigger them)!

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