Tonight is MIA’s extra game on PhilaBoo. Lose and we’re in a statistical tie with them, whoever owns the tie-breaker. We will still have a game in hand over Indiana Marymount (6th) after tonight as they play also, home to OKC. If we win and Indy loses we will be a half-game in front and in 6th place. If both win they will, of course, still be percentage points ahead of us.
Tyler Herro is listed as Out by ESPN and "Questionable" by Inside the Heat, a Sports Illustrated site. Herro is traveling with the team to Houston. Everyone else on the "Heat" is available and to play. Erik Spoelstra staggered players’ minutes judiciously last night so they should be as rested as they can be on the second night of back-to-back games. But.
J-Buts played 40 mins last night, far more than any of his teammates. Clearly, Spoelstra was relying on his talisman to carry the team over the finish line. But he didn't. And now, on the second of a back-to-back, how much will Jimmy have left? How much does he have left, period? Houston has become a quality team (38-38). They too are on the second of a back-to-back but they are younger and are at home.
This is a critical game for Miami.
