Monday Morning Heat Check: Miami Misses Kyle Lowry, Latest on Point Guard's Return
Lowry missed Saturday's loss to the Pacers and is questionable for Monday's game against the Magic.
Life with, and without, Kyle Lowry
Heading into this season, Kyle Lowry was heralded as the top free-agent addition of the offseason. A confident leader and experienced floor general capable of elevating the Miami Heat’s at-time stagnant offense.
It only took the first two games of the 2021-22 season to make Lowry’s value apparent. What’s also apparent is that Miami needs Lowry back soon in order to make the most of this early slate.
With Lowry running point during the Heat’s opening night win against the Milwaukee Bucks, the offense looked sharp, putting up 137 points against the defending champs. The offense played at a brisk pace of 106.0 and scored at a scintillating rate of 128 points per 100 possessions. The only hiccup: Lowry suffered a sprained left ankle when he stepped on the foot of Pat Connaughton.
Lowry finished that first game at FTX Arena and traveled with the team to Indiana, but the injury lingered and he was ruled out Saturday. His absence handcuffed Miami’s offense and saddled its stars with more playmaking responsibility. Against Milwaukee, Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo shot 15 for 23 (65.2%) overall for 41 points and had just four combined turnovers. In Indiana, the pair struggled to get easy shots, combining to shoot 13 for 37 (35.1%) overall for 36 points and total nine turnovers.
Overall, the Heat slowed to a pace of 96.9 and the offensive rating crashed to 84.3. After tallying 28 assists to just 11 turnovers against the Bucks, the Heat had just 18 assists and gave away 22 possessions against the Pacers.
“We should be able to function,” Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra said of not having Lowry running point. “At least be able to get into offense and get the ball where it needs to, get the shots that we want up even without him.”
Lowry is questionable for Monday night’s game against the Orlando Magic. Third-year guard Gabe Vincent, Miami’s only other true point guard on the roster, figures to continue to get the start as long as Lowry is out.
Spoelstra could opt to go with Tyler Herro — whose 30 points Saturday helped force overtime — but he’s preferred to maintain the integrity of his rotations when starters have missed games in the past. Starting Vincent, who is normally outside the night-to-night rotation, allows Herro to continue to anchor the second unit.
But if Lowry misses extended time, Spoelstra may be forced to go with Herro to start games. Though not a typical point guard, Herro provides a much-needed scoring punch and reliable jump shot to help space the floor for Adebayo and Butler.
A year ago, the Heat attempted to make Herro the starting point guard only to abort the experiment a little more than a month into the season. In 14 games Herro averaged 3.9 assists to 2.8 turnovers before reprising his role off the bench. Miami turned to Kendrick Nunn to start at point guard, then addressed the need in the offseason by agreeing to a sign-and-trade for Lowry.
But Herro has improved as a playmaker. Working with Heat assistant coach Chris Quinn and skills trainer Drew Hanlen, Herro spent the summer working on his handle, passing and decision-making. Against the Pacers, Herro didn’t record a single assist because he was tasked with shooting Miami back into the game, but he did dish out five assists against the Bucks and showed noticeable improvement during the preseason, especially in navigating the pick-and-roll. Spoelstra could still stagger Butler and Herro (the way he does with Butler and Lowry) in order to ensure there is an offensive fulcrum on the floor at all times.
This is just a band-aid solution to what is, right now, a hypothetical problem. Lowry could still return as soon as Monday night. But, at 35, Lowry will likely miss more time at some point this season. This is an early stress test of Miami’s strategy in the event of Lowry’s next fender bender.
Herro’s long-term future isn’t at point guard. Vincent is eager and capable, but far from Lowry’s level as a floor general. Miami did just draft former Pine Crest star Brandon Knight to their G League affiliate, but they don’t have room under the luxury tax to sign him (or anyone) to the 15-man roster.
That’s the catch when a team signs an All-Star level player. Strategy is inherently built around that player, making him all that more difficult to replace. It’s been a long time since the Heat had a point guard of Lowry’s caliber and have had to deal with all of the contingencies involved.
“Usually you’re going to always have a Plan B when somebody is out,” Adebayo said. “Especially somebody like Kyle.”
Best of Heat Social Media
Reddit: Duncan Robinson made his NBA debut exactly 3 years ago. (Cringe looking at the roster).
- Erik Spoelstra on Heat G League team drafting Brandon Knight, "I think it's great. We've been a fan of his for a long time." Mentions how Heat "tends to like Kentucky guys." Says he has spoken to Knight in the offseason about the move.
Better of Heat Social Media
Worth your time
For the New York Times, Jonathan Abrams profiled Kyle Lowry, who discussed his humble career beginnings, winning a championship and embracing the next challenge in Miami. “We all were mutually agreed that it was time,” Lowry said of leaving Toronto. “It’s hard to put it into words. It was just time. For me, I knew with Miami it was the right situation, right timing, right place, right people, right everything.”
ICYMI
In the first installment of my new Sunday column, “The Tortured Dolphins Fan,” I weighed in on the Deshaun Watson rumors and the tangible and moral cost of trading for the embattled quarterback. The Dolphins lost to the Falcons Sunday, ensuring the Watson rumors won’t go away any time soon.
Five observations from the Heat’s 137-95 win to open the season over the defending champion Milwaukee Bucks, including Bam Adebayo’s shot selection.
I joined David Ramil for a recent episode of the “Locked On Heat” podcast to talk about my love for McDonald’s and some of the biggest questions facing the Heat. Can P.J. Tucker bring back that emotional edge? Can Miami survive a brutal early schedule? Will an additional roster move be necessary to become a contender?
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