The Miami Heat had something going. Three wins in a row, a foothold in the Eastern Conference playoff race and some genuine momentum heading into the final stretch of the regular season. Tuesday night in Milwaukee ended all of that, at least temporarily after the Bucks handed Miami a 128-117 defeat.
The Heat now sit 31-28 and eighth in the East, 1.5 games behind the Philadelphia 76ers in sixth place. Thursday night in Philadelphia is the next opportunity to respond.
The injury report ahead of tipoff is worth paying attention to.
The Injury Report for Miami
Nikola Jovic has been ruled out for Thursday’s game with a lower back injury. The forward will not make the trip to Philadelphia. Davion Mitchell is listed as questionable after dealing with an illness and remains a game-time decision.
Norman Powell, Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro will carry the primary load in Philadelphia. Powell has been Miami’s most consistent offensive option all season, averaging 22.9 points per game. Adebayo brings 18.3 points and 9.8 rebounds. Wiggins has averaged 15.1 points over the last ten games and provides the kind of two-way versatility Spoelstra relies on in big road matchups. Herro is averaging 20.9 PPG for the season.
Kel’el Ware has been quietly impressive off the bench this season and could see extended minutes against the Sixers. The young big man delivered 14 points and 8 rebounds in just 19 minutes against Milwaukee on Tuesday. More of that would help.
GettyTyler Herro #14 of the Miami Heat
What Happened in Milwaukee
Miami led for most of Tuesday night before the fourth quarter unravelled. The Bucks outscored the Heat 39-24 in the final frame to turn a competitive game into a double digit loss.
Kevin Porter Jr. was unstoppable down the stretch, pouring in 32 points to go with 7 rebounds and 7 assists. Ryan Rollins and Bobby Portis also combined for 42 points. Tyler Herro had a night to forget, shooting 5-of-17 from the floor including 3-of-9 from three for 14 points.
Powell’s 26 points and Adebayo’s 18 and 9 kept Miami in it long enough. It was not enough when it mattered most.
Spoelstra’s Message After the Heat Loss
After the loss, Erik Spoelstra did not look for excuses. He was direct about what went wrong and direct about what the moment requires.
“Defensively, it just wasn’t a great game,” Spoelstra said. “It would’ve required a whole lot more. It started in the first quarter. We didn’t set the tone for the game.”
When asked about the pressure of another potential play-in appearance, his response was pointed.
“Good. I hope so. That pressure is a privilege,” Spoelstra said. “I want our locker room to feel that pressure. We need to push our game to a higher level.”
The standings make Thursday night a significant one. Miami is 1.5 games behind the 76ers in sixth. A road win in Philadelphia closes that gap to half a game. The Heat have appeared in three consecutive play-in tournaments and know what avoiding it entirely would mean for this group.
“I hope so. … I want our locker room to feel that pressure. We need to push our game to a higher level.”
Final Word for the Heat
Miami had three wins in a row and then gave one back in Milwaukee. The fourth quarter was the story and not a good one.
Philadelphia is the response. Jovic is out, Mitchell is uncertain and the Heat will need their best players to show up on the road against a 76ers team sitting sixth in the conference.
Spoelstra said the pressure is a privilege. Thursday night is the chance to play like it.
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