The Heat close the preseason against the Nets on Tuesday and the Magic on Thursday, then open the real schedule October 21 against the same Minnesota team that beat them 125-124 last week. Nine players carry some form of absence into that stretch, with most of the regulars targeting a return by the Nets game.
Two Left
Miami hosts the Nets on Tuesday, then travels to Orlando for the Magic on Thursday, the final two exhibitions before anything is official. The gap since Friday's loss in Minnesota is four days, no back-to-back, so there is no excuse for sloppy legs to start the week.
Short List
Nine players carry some form of absence. Five regulars -- Adebayo, Wiggins, Thompson, Antetokounmpo and Mitchell -- are tagged for rest, with Tuesday's game against the Nets marked as the target return. Larsson is dealing with an illness on the same timeline, and Kelley is working back from a calf issue on that date too. Dru Smith's calf keeps him out until Thursday against the Magic. Keshad Johnson is the real absence: a hamstring strain that keeps him out until around October 26.
Minnesota Again
The team that matters this month is Minnesota, not the Nets or the Magic. The preseason meeting on October 10 went to the wire, 19 lead changes and a shot at the horn, and it slipped away 125-124 after Miami rested Adebayo and Antetokounmpo for the night. Minnesota was already three games into a road trip with another game two days later, and the schedule still favored Miami. The rematch on October 21 opens the real schedule, and it is the one the reserves cannot be asked to win alone.
Bottom Line
Two exhibitions remain, and neither buys patience once the games count. Seven returns are pegged for Tuesday, one more for Thursday, and Keshad Johnson stays out past both. Spoelstra has eleven days to get his regulars sharp before Minnesota comes back for a result that matters. Preseason rest was earned. October 21 is not optional.
When does the Heat's regular season start?
Miami opens the regular season on October 21 against Minnesota, the same team that beat the Heat 125-124 in the October 10 preseason meeting.
Who is out for the Heat this week?
Keshad Johnson is sidelined by a hamstring strain until around October 26. Seven others, including Adebayo, Wiggins, Thompson and Antetokounmpo, are targeting a return for Tuesday's game against the Nets, and Dru Smith's calf is expected to clear by Thursday.
More from The Biscayne Brief
all Heat news →
Around the beat · Sun, Oct 11Beat Writers Split On Giannis, Numbers Back The Bench
Morning · Sun, Oct 11Heat Rest Six Regulars, Bench Takes Wolves To The Wire
Week ahead · Wed, Oct 7Heat's Week Turns On The Minnesota Preview
Week ahead · Sun, Oct 4Minnesota Looms Twice Before The Real Opener
Week ahead · Wed, Sep 30Raptors Trip Kicks Off Miami's Preseason Slate