Q: There are times when you actually need your starting point guard to score the ball. — Ray, Deerfield Beach.
A: I could not agree more, and that is one of the first things I noticed after moving past Kyle Lowry’s 10 assists on Wednesday night. It is one thing to defer when Jimmy Butler is available and when Tyler Herro is at the top of his game. But neither of those were the case on Wednesday night against the Suns. This was a game when Kyle needed to take more than three shots, especially after stepping into a 3-pointer on his first attempt of the night. Yes, there is honor among point guards in keeping the shots down and the assists up. But this one called for eyes on the rim, as well. To be fair, it also was Kyle’s second game back after being away from the team for week.
Q: We lost to the best team in the league. In my opinion, ain’t no shame in that. We blew them out last time and they responded with their own punch back. On to the next game. — Saint.
A: A reasonable take. Considering how the Heat competed recently against the Bulls, Bucks, Nets and 76ers, it’s almost as if the Suns are at a different level. And that was without Chris Paul on Wednesday night. But the Heat also were without Jimmy Butler. If the Heat’s greatest concern is losing out on homecourt advantage to the Suns in the NBA Finals, then that is a not a bad problem to have.
Q: Dewayne Dedmon cannot hold up any longer. Time for Omer Yurtseven to get that second spot. — Alex.
A: First, let’s not overstate Omer Yurtseven’s statistics during Wednesday night’s garbage time. Those are empty calories. But it certainly has been an uneven run for Dewayne Dedmon since he returned from his back spasms, with just 22 points in his last six games. I’m just not sold on Erik Spoelstra having playoff-race confidence in Omer at this stage. But if Caleb Martin is lost for any appreciable time with his hyperextended knee, and if Markieff Morris doesn’t make it back any time soon, then Spoelstra might have to consider more height in the power rotation.
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