Winderman’s view: Zeller is Heat’s X factor in Y-Z race against Yurtseven
Observations and other notes of interest from Friday night’s 114-108 loss to the Washington Wizards:
– No, not a game with much in the way of meaning or context.
– Not with Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo, Tyler Herro, Kyle Lowry and Kevin Love given the night off.
– But it did clarify one element that likely did not need much in the way of clarifying:
– If the Heat need to go three deep in their power rotation in the playoffs beyond Adebayo and Love, it will be Cody Zeller.
– It was Zeller who kept the Heat afloat early.
– While it was Omer Yurtseven who again was hampered by early foul trouble.
– Zeller’s experiences matters.
– He is quality insurance.
– Yurtseven figures to see mop-up postseason duty, at best.
– As was the case at the end Friday.
– And then it will get interesting.
– With both to be free agents in the offseason.
– So the potential of 24-year-old Yurtseven or the known quantity of 30-year-old Zeller.
– We know which way Pat Riley long has leaned when it has come to experience.
– No, the Wizards did not expect to be tanking for the lottery this final weekend of the season.
– And, no, the Heat did not expect to be facing a No. 7 fate as a play-in team.
– Which, Wizards coach Wes Unseld Jr. said, also could be a factor of a stronger Eastern Conference, which typically has been considered second best to the West.
– “I think we often look at the Western Conference and the strength of the West; I think the East has obviously caught up a bit,” Unseld said. “It’s probably a little bit more parity, obviously one through seven, even eight in the East.”
– He added, “Oftentimes we don’t look at some of the progress other teams around us are making. So that, of course, is going to affect where you may land. But, yeah, I think the depth, the amount of talent, I think is upgraded definitely this year.”
– The Heat opened with the unique opening lineup of Zeller, Haywood Highsmith, Duncan Robinson, Max Strus and Gabe Vincent.
– And, no, prior to Friday night’s opening tip those five players had never been on the court together.
– Such are the rites of NBA closing week.
– Especially with a play-in game looming within days.
– Then again, the Wizards opened with a starting five of Delon Wright, Johnny Davis, Corey Kispert, Anthony Gill and Daniel Gafford.
– Yurtseven, Caleb Martin and Victor Oladipo entered together as the Heat first three substitutes.
– Continuing the pattern of Oladipo playing only when Kyle Lowry sits.
– Jamal Cain made it nine deep.
– Strus’ second rebound was the 500th of his career.
– Duncan Robinson’s third shot attempt tied P.J. Brown for 25th on the Heat all-time list.
– Vincent’s first steal was the 150th of his career.
