Q: Ira, I wasn’t one of those ready to run off Duncan Robinson because of the success we have had with him in the lineup. And I’m not now. I know he has his flaws, but he deserves his minutes. – Steve.

A: But so do several players who have had to make such sacrifices this season. And I would think few would disagree now about the move of Max Strus into the first five. For as much as I believe you can’t, and shouldn’t, argue with success, I’m still not sold on playing Victor Oladipo and Jimmy Butler together when Erik Spoelstra cycles through his rotation. I just don’t see the spacing there, and believe that becomes a detriment to Jimmy. So through no fault of Victor, that still could be a situation where Duncan is the better fit. I don’t have the same issues with Victor and Tyler Herro playing together, because of Tyler’s 3-point range. But, again, hard to argue with success.

Q: I can see ESPN headlines right now, “Tensions flaring In South Beach? Jimmy skips practice after sitting out fourth quarter.” – S,R.

A: And you are probably right, since the last time the Heat got anything close this season to Lakers/Nets/Knicks attention was Jimmy Butler’s courtside flareup with Erik Spoelstra and Bam Adebayo. But the Heat made clear that Tuesday was an approved absence and Spoelstra made clear that had the Heat’s lead gone back down to single digits in Monday’s fourth quarter that Jimmy would have gone back into the same. So nothing to see here.

Q: We’re good. Rest Kyle Lowry up. Have him come back when Joel Embiid comes back. We’ll be ready. – H.B.

A: And despite Erik Spoelstra comment to the contrary, it still seems that the Heat’s 3-0 success in Kyle Lowry’s absence with this hamstring strain has made it easier to hold him out. For as much as the Heat lack in the absence of Kyle, the 76ers lack far more in the absence of Joel Embiid. It is a wash the Heat assuredly will accept, even if not by choice.

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