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Miami HEAT: #ATLvsMIA INJURY UPDATE: Tyler Herro (ribs) has been ruled out of tonight's game vs the Hawks. Nikola Jovic (hip) and Norman Powell (personal reasons) are both listed as questionable.
Anthony Chiang: Tyler Herro (ribs) ruled out for tomorrow’s game vs. Hawks in Miami. Nikola Jovic (hip) and Norman Powell (personal reasons) listed as questionable.
“Spo kind of went off on us, especially on Bam, which I think kind of set the tone,” forward Nikola Jovic said, as the Heat turned their attention to Sunday night’s game against the Phoenix Suns at the close of their five-game western swing. “When you start talking to the captain first, we just knew we had to take more responsibility and be more locked in. So I think it’s simple as that. Just maybe we had a little more pressure on us and it helped.”
Anthony Chiang: Heat says Nikola Jovic (illness) is available tonight vs. Thunder. But Tyler Herro (toe contusion/rib contusion) is OUT tonight. Heat also without Davion Mitchell, Jaime Jaquez Jr. tonight.
Ira Winderman: Nikola Jovic has been downgraded to questionable by the Heat for tonight vs. OKC due to illness. Myron Gardner has returned from G League.
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The move to re-insert Tyler Herro into the starting group means second-year center Kel’el Ware will return to a bench role after starting in the previous 11 games. “Our young guys are so pivotal to our success,” Spoelstra said, referring to the 21-year-old Ware joining a Heat bench rotation that also includes the 24-year-old Jaime Jaquez Jr. and the 22-year-old Nikola Jovic. “And they’ll come in and off the bench, and give us great energy and a boost.”
Ira Winderman: Full clarity now on Heat injury report for tonight at Minnesota (NBC): Out: Jaime Jaquez (ankle), Terry Rozier (NWT). Available: Bam Adebayo (back), Tyler Herro (toe), Keshad Johnson (back), Nikola Jovic (groin), Pelle Larsson (ankle), Norman Powell (hamstring), Dru Smith (elbow)
Anthony Chiang: Nikola Jovic (groin) is available tonight for Heat.
Ira Winderman: Heat injury updates at the moment: Tyler Herro (toe): Available (but not expected to play). Jaime Jaquez Jr. (ankle): out. Pelle Larsson (ankle): Available. Nikola Jovic (groin): still questionable. Bam Adebayo (back): Available.
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“For sure, yes,” Jovic, 22, said when asked if his four-game injury absence served as a mental reset for him. “I would give credit to my family, who came here, too, and kind of helped me get back on track. When you have people who love you around you, it for sure helps. “But for me, it was to stop looking at basketball as a hobby and something that I love and look at it more as a job, as a profession because that’s who I am now. So, I come in every day with a different approach now, and I guess it has to stay that way.”
“We’re a totally different team when he’s aggressive, when he’s assertive on the offensive end and assertive on the defensive end as well,” Powell said. “His versatility, I’m always on him like, ‘You’re 6-10, play like you’re 6-10.’ And when he does that and he doesn’t hesitate, he’s a totally different basketball player and we need that from him. We need that aggressiveness because his skill set is so unique. Being able to handle the ball, push the pace, get down into the paint, find guys, shoot the three. He’s just so versatile, and even on the defensive end. His height, his length, being able to be disruptive. ... We’re a totally different team when he’s locked in and aggressive.”
Anthony Chiang: Heat announces that Bam Adebayo (lower back soreness) is out for tonight vs. Hawks. Nikola Jovic and Pelle Larsson will make their returns.
