Q: Ira, as I look at the standings I can’t help but think of the loss to the Wizards. They’ve learned their lesson, right? – Andy.
A: We will see on Sunday, with the Heat needing to appreciate that the Wizards are not the Trail Blazers, and this will be nothing like Friday night’s blowout of Portland at Kaseya Center. With Kyle Kuzma and Jordan Poole, the Wizards have NBA-level scorers capable of getting hot enough to produce an upset. Such was the case when Kuzma went for 30 points when the Wizards won 110-108 on March 10 in Miami. Even with Friday night’s home loss to the Pistons, the Wizards have won three of their last five. What the Heat can become is the third team to lose multiple times this season to the Wizards, as the Hornets and Pistons have done.
Q: Ira, has Thomas Bryant earned a spot in the rotation? – Steve.
A: That will be predicated on whether Kevin Love, after more than a month off, can replicate what he offered before he went down with his heel injury. If that happens, then it is highly unlikely, barring foul trouble, that the Heat go three deep in the middle. But what Thomas Bryant’s recent play has done is instilled confidence in case Kevin or Bam Adebayo are injured or in foul trouble. Plus, with a player option on his contract for 2024-25, Bryant has positioned himself for a Heat future. But, again, don’t get too caught up in what happened Friday against the Blazers’ C team.
Q: Is the Heat roster set for the playoffs? – Stan.
A: It would appear that way. The Heat still could waive a player and add a playoff-eligible option (which would have to be someone waived by March 1 if in the league this year, or someone who has not played in the NBA this season). It does not seem as if Patty Mills or Delon Wright are going anywhere, and I can’t see the Heat waiving Orlando Robinson after all the developmental time invested. So without a move, it would leave two-way players Jamal Cain, Cole Swider and Alondes Williams ineligible for the NBA playoffs.