The Miami Heat’s second preseason game should look a lot like the first one.
That’s the message from Erik Spoelstra, who said “a lot of the guys” are expected to play in the exhibition against the New Orleans Pelicans as Miami gets ready for its preseason home opener.
There are a few names that appear unlikely to take the floor. Dru Smith and Keshad Johnson remain sidelined with their respective injuries, while it would be surprising to see Pelle Larsson or Andrew Wiggins play after both missed practice and the Heat’s charity scrimmage over the past couple of days.
Beyond that, Spoelstra seems prepared to use the game the same way he did the preseason opener. Most, if not all, of the team’s regulars should handle the bulk of the first half, with the second half left for the rest of the roster to get extended work.
That approach may stand out for a veteran team, but it also shows how much Spoelstra values live-game reps. Practice can cover a lot, but it can’t fully replace what happens when the ball is tipped against another opponent. Chemistry and spacing, especially, are things that have to be sharpened in real game action.
Some of that work has already been done in practice, but there’s still value in seeing different bodies, different coverages, and a different pace. That’s why Spoelstra is making the most of the preseason schedule.
There’s also the question of how much Giannis should play and how to avoid wearing him down before the regular season starts. But if there’s one thing that’s clear about how the Heat are approaching this, that concern doesn’t seem to be driving the plan right now.
The priority is finding the right rotations and building cohesion for a roster that includes five or six new players in the mix. That’s not something you figure out in a single week of camp.
So even if the results don’t count, the minutes do. And for the Heat, this second preseason game should be another chance to keep sorting out the pieces.
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