Observations and other notes of interest from Sunday’s 127-117 road victory over the Philadelphia 76ers:
– For all the Heat have accomplished this season, being whole is not one of them.
– That could change Monday, amid hope that Tyler Herro will be available to make his return from September ankle surgery.
– Herro a week ago indicated he was a week away, before then skipping this Friday-Sunday trip to Chicago and Philadelphia.
– That does not necessarily mean the Heat will be wholly whole, with Andrew Wiggins and Nikola Jovic missing the trip with hip ailments.
– But having Herro, Bam Adebayo and Norman Powell would at least let this rendition of the Heat have their version of a big three available for the first time.
– The timing of a Herro return also would ease the burden on Powell, who was on the injury report Sunday with a hip ailment of his own, before continuing on in his place in the starting lineup.
– Based on the Heat’s injury issues and challenging early-season schedule, remaining above water was key.
– That has been accomplished.
– With Adebayo now back for three games since missing six with a toe sprain.
– So who are the 2025-26 Heat?
– Should Herro return Monday, then Monday could represent a degree of a restart.
– Speaking of returns, Heat coach Erik Spoelstra spoke pregame of the immediate impact of Adebayo in his return from the toe issue.
– “Yeah, I mean he does so many things for us offensively. But the biggest thing he’s done for us is his defense,” Spoelstra said. “Already, just in two games, we jumped to fourth in defense. I think we’re second or third for the season in the games that he’s played. But that’s what All-Stars do. He’s the leader of our group and he’s done a tremendous job.”
– As for Sunday, with Wiggins again out, the Heat for the second consecutive game opened with a lineup of Adebayo, Powell, Kel’el Ware, Pelle Larsson and Davion Mitchell.
– Also inactive and back in South Florida besides Wiggins were Herro and Jovic.
– Also inactive for the Heat were Vlad Goldin and Kasparas Jakucionis, on their G League assignments, and Terry Rozier, who is away from the team.
– With Joel Embiid again sidelined, the 76ers opened with a lineup of Tyrese Maxey, Quentin Grimes, Justin Edwards, Paul George and Andre Drummond.
– Adebayo opened the game defensively on George, with George opening defensively on Adebayo.
– Jaime Jaquez Jr. again was first off the Heat bench.
– There then was more Keshad Johnson, after his Friday night double-double against the Bulls, entering in the Heat’s second substitution, along with Simone Fontecchio and Dru Smith.
– Adebayo’s fifth basket was the 3,500th of his career.
– Powell’s second rebound was the 1,700th of his career.
– The game opened the third of the Heat’s 15 back-to-back sets this season, to conclude Monday night at Kaseya Center against the Dallas Mavericks.
– The Heat split their first back-to-back, a road set that opened with a loss to the Lakers and was followed by a victory over the Clippers.
– The Heat then swept their second back-to-back set, home victories over the Hornets and then Trail Blazers.
– The Heat return to Kaseya Center at 7-1 at home this season.
– The 76ers held a moment of silence pregame for the recent passing of former NBA player Rodney Rogers.
– Former 76ers center Theo Ratliff rang the pregame liberty bell.
– With 76ers legend Allen Iverson also among those in attendance.
– Spoelstra entered three victories from 800 in the regular season.