MIAMI — Observations and other notes of interest from Monday night’s 110-95 victory over the Brooklyn Nets: – Well this sucks. – Truly, truly sucks. – Days from an expected move to a standard contract that would more than double his salary, Dru Smith went down with 8:18 to play in the second period, seemingly instantly aware of the major damage to his left leg. – Helped off the court, with his wife joining him in the tunnel leading to the locker room. – This for a player who had spent months recovering from last season’s devastating injury to his right knee. – Recovering to the point of making himself essential to Erik Spoelstra’s rotation. – Including a start in Saturday’s game in Orlando. – And now this. – Foremost, prayers up. – This is a good kid, nice guy, hard worker, devoted teammate. – And now the cold, hard reality of the NBA. – Among roster options could be Dennis Smith Jr., who remains available. – There also could be Isaiah Stevens called up on a two-way deal from the Heat’s G League affiliate. – Or perhaps Terry Rozier, sidelined Monday by knee pain, becomes what the Heat thought he could be when acquired 11 months ago. – But with the Heat’s position against the luxury tax, a standard deal for a sidelined Dru Smith would seem highly unlikely. – Smith spent months last season rehabilitating behind the scenes at Kaseya Center. – Now it appears more of the same. – He deserves better. – After explaining Saturday that that night’s move of Nikola Jovic and Smith into the starting lineup was based on Jimmy Butler being out and the Magic’s large front line, Spoelsta moved in a different direction Monday night. – This time, in remaining with Bam Adebayo, Tyler Herro and Duncan Robinson, Spoelstra went with Haywood Highsmith and Jaime Jaquez Jr.

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BING NEWS:
  • Winderman’s view: Another tough break for Dru Smith; Heat left to digest what’s next after win
    Ira Winderman’s perspectives and other items of note from the Miami Heat’s Monday night game against the Brooklyn Nets.
    12/23/2024 - 2:13 pm | View Link
  • Winderman’s view: It’s what came before that left the Heat at a greater loss in Boston
    Instead, it was Thomas Bryant and Dru Smith coming through that door. – And the Heat exiting stage left with another loss. – With Butler out due to Sunday night’s knee injury in Toronto ...
    12/2/2024 - 2:06 pm | View Link
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