The rotation gives the impression that the Miami Heat are already preparing for playoff games.
The lineup was changed by head coach Erik Spoelstra prior to Miami’s 129-122 victory over Dallas on Saturday, snapping a three-game losing streak. The Heat, who are 41-37, have four games left, starting with Tuesday’s game against Detroit, which comes at the beginning of a three-game road trip.
In the four-team play-in tournament, Miami is the top team in the Eastern Conference, ranking seventh. The Heat would prefer to avoid the tournament by passing Brooklyn and securing the sixth spot. Miami is two games behind the Nets.
Against the Mavericks, Spoelstra used a three-guard lineup with Max Strus, Tyler Herro, and Gabe Vincent. Kevin Love, a power forward, was assigned to the second unit.
Miami only committed 11 turnovers and shot 52.3% from the field with an eight-man rotation, excluding Duncan Robinson’s two-minute stint.
Love, who fell off the seat often with Cleveland before the Cavaliers purchased out his agreement and postponed him, played 19 powerful minutes. He had five rebounds and 18 points.
Love made two of his five 3-point endeavors and appeared to be more loosened up in a reinforcement job.
While Adebayo was sidelined with a hip injury, Butler contributed 35 points and 12 assists.
On March 19, Miami played Detroit and won 112-100, Butler scoring a team-high 26 points and dishing out 10 assists.
The Pistons (16-62) have lost nine of their last ten games and 23 of their last 25. In their most recent outing, a Sunday defeat at Orlando by a score of 128-102, they were nearly behind the entire time. In the second quarter, the Magic outscored the Pistons 29-15, extending their lead.
