Miami Heat Welcome Back Butler, Rozier for Game Against Trail Blazers
After an impressive win with a depleted roster, the Miami Heat are set to receive a boost for their game against the Portland Trail Blazers. Jimmy Butler and Nikola Jovic will return from one-game suspensions, while Terry Rozier is available following a knee injury.
Rozier’s return is ahead of schedule, as his knee sprain initially seemed more severe. Despite missing four games, he’s back sooner than expected thanks in part to the All-Star break. Before his injury, Rozier had been improving, averaging 15.3 points and 5.8 assists in his last four games.
Butler, who has been performing well lately, is averaging 24.1 points, 8 rebounds, 5.6 assists, and 2.1 steals over his last eight games. Jovic, starting in Rozier’s absence, averaged 10 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 2.7 assists in his last three games.
Miami will decide on Rozier’s starting status shortly before the game. Delon Wright filled in for him in the previous game. Tyler Herro, Josh Richardson, and Orlando Robinson remain sidelined.
Available for the Heat are Rozier, Wright, Butler, Jovic, Duncan Robinson, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Caleb Martin, Haywood Highsmith, and Bam Adebayo, along with two-way player Alondes Williams. Cole Swider and Jamal Cain have been sent to the G League.
Portland will be without Malcolm Brogdon, Moses Brown, Scoot Henderson, Shaedon Sharpe, and Robert Williams III. Ibou Badji and Justin Minaya are questionable, while Ryan Rupert is probable.
Possible starting lineup for Miami:
PG: Rozier / Wright
SG: Robinson
SF: Butler / Jaquez
PF: Martin / Highsmith / Jovic
C: Adebayo / Love
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