Observations and other interesting notes from Monday’s 121-113 loss to the Atlanta Hawks:
– This is what rust looks like, the early three fouls on Caleb Martin, the 0-for-7 start on Tyler Herro’s 3-pointers.
– Yes, the Heat were able to overcome injuries with their recent run.
– But the second part of the injury equation is getting the players back to work.
– And that is often not an easy process.
– With Monday standing as Exhibit A.
– While the Heat are still waiting for the return of Kyle Lowry.
– Without sustained health, it could just be a rollercoaster ride all the way.
— With the Heat going with their 20th starting lineup on Monday.
– So now the search for another winning streak.
– With challenges in New Orleans and Dallas ahead on this trip.
– The Heat returned to the quarter-fifths of their preferred starting lineup, with Martin and Herro back.
– He only left Lowry out of the game, due to knee discomfort that he has on a day-to-day basis.
— With Gabe Vincent making his fourth consecutive start at point guard, again scoring in double figures.
– Vincent was nominated for the NBA East Player of the Week which on Monday went to Knicks guard Jalen Brunson.
– The Heat had gone 4-1 with Haywood Highsmith starting the previous six at power forward instead of Martin. This time a limited role for Highsmith.
– The other starters for the Heat were Bam Adebayo and Jimmy Butler.
– The Heat also had Jamal Cain as an inactive, saving him an NBA day on his two-way contract.
– Victor Oladipo returned to play as the Heat’s sixth man, this time coming on when Martin was fouled twice early.
– Oladipo was solid as a playmaker, reaching double figures in assists for the first time this season.
– Orlando Robinson and Max Strus then came in to make the deep eight for the Heat.
— With Robinson, who has a two-way contract, again playing ahead of veteran great Dewayne Dedmon.
– Monday was the first game since Dedmon became tradeable this season.
– Highsmith then entered as the Heat’s fourth reserve.
– Leaving only Dedmon and 42-year-old captain Udonis Haslem as those who will not enter.
– Adebayo set his personal best with his 56 consecutive games scoring in double figures.
– Adebayo’s fifth defensive rebound was the 2,400th of his career.
– Adebayo’s 20th point moved him past Grant Long for 11th on the Heat’s all-time scoring list.
– Butler’s second free throw attempt moved him past Udonins Haslem for ninth on the Heat’s all-time list.
– Herro’s ninth shot was the 3,000th of his career.
– Herro’s third assist moved him past James Johnson for 22nd on the Heat’s all-time list.
– The Heat went 5-1 within their division, with the only loss being a shorthanded loss on the road against the Wizards.
– The game was the sixth of nine evening games this season for the Heat (games that start before 6 p.m. local time).
– The game was the 17th time the Heat played on Dr. Martin Luther King Day, the 11th time on the road. The Heat had won their previous three on vacation.
– Former Atlanta mayor and civil rights leader Andrew Young was among those in attendance.
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