Observations and other notes of interest from Saturday night’s 126-114 overtime loss to the Orlando Magic:
– Yes, Jimmy Butler is a one-man band.
– Which says plenty about Jimmy Butler since the All-Star break.
– He also has to feel lonely at the top of the scoring sheet.
– The supporting cast is well paid, or at least will be when Tyler Herro’s extension kicks in next season to join Bam Adebayo on his extension.
– But it’s as if there is nothing there when Butler isn’t in there.
– And the man certainly deserves his rest.
– With this one the second night of a back-to-back.
– With three more Heat back-to-back sets to follow.
– Kyle Lowry was supposed to be the sidekick in stardom.
– That never happened.
– Adebayo was trending that way.
– Then came the All-Star break.
– As for Herro, the ultimate streak-scoring element, perhaps.
– But not necessarily a No. 2 on an elite team.
– So Butler or bust.
– Attacking.
– Relentlessly.
– With all of it needed.
– And still not enough.
– Through no fault of his own.
– So perhaps fitting he walks off the court before it was over.
– He could not have done more.
– After starting in his previous 677 appearances, Lowry played as a reserve in his return from his 15-game absence with knee soreness, with Gabe Vincent again starting at point guard.
– The Heat starting lineup again was rounded out with Adebayo, Kevin Love, Butler and Herro.
– Inactive for the Heat were Caleb Martin, Duncan Robinson as well as Orlando Robinson and Nikola Jovic, who both are on G League assignment.
– Martin was scratched earlier in the day with knee soreness.
– Duncan Robinson is in NBA health-and-safety protocols, which likely will continue to have him out.
– The Magic opened with Markelle Fultz, Gary Harris, Franz Wagner, Paolo Banchero, Wendell Carter Jr.
– Victor Oladipo played as the Heat’s first reserve.
– Lowry then entered with 6:21 to play in the opening period, after Butler was called for his second foul.
– With Cody Zeller the Heat’s third reserve.
– But after Zeller took a shot to his nose, forced to the locker room, Omer Yurtseven entered, his season debut after November ankle surgery.
– With Max Strus making it 10 deep for the Heat on the second night of the back-to-back.
– The Heat opened 1 of 9 on 3-pointers until Strus converted his first attempt.
– Herro’s fifth point moved him past Bimbo Coles for 17th on the Heat …read more
Source:: The Mercury News