DENVER — When it comes to Kel’el Ware’s fit with the Miami Heat, coach Erik Spoelstra indicated for the first time that it could become a game-to-game issue.
After starting the previous five games, Ware was back as a reserve in Monday night’s 120-119 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers, the role he previously had only held this season in the season-opening loss to the Orlando Magic.
With Norman Powell back in the mix Monday after a three-game absence with a groin strain, Spoelstra bumped Ware out of the starting lineup, instead of doing so with Pelle Larsson. Larsson had started the previous three games and again thrived Monday night in that role.
“I know probably people will point to Kel’el and say it’s a demotion. It’s not,” Spoelstra said.
Instead, Spoelstra pointed to the Clippers’ starting lineup, one that opened with former Heat wing Derrick Jones Jr. at power forward. That afforded the Heat the option of surrounding center Bam Adebayo with wings Powell, Larsson, Andrew Wiggins and Davion Mitchell.
“I know there will be some teams that it makes more sense to play big,” Spoelstra, with the Heat 2-0 this season with the starting lineup of Ware, Adebayo, Wiggins, Powell and Mitchell. “We have a team that it makes more sense to use our versatility.
“Sometimes it changes the starting lineup to do that.”
After an uneven night Sunday against the Lakers, when he was utilized for only 11:30, with seven points and four rebounds. Ware on Monday was utilized for only 17:47, but still produced 16 points and five rebounds, along with two blocked shots.
“Kel’el gave us great minutes,” Spoelstra said.
As was the case through most of the preseason and then that season-opening road loss to the Magic, it was strictly either/or accounting with Ware and Adebayo on Monday night, with Adebayo playing the other 30:13 at center.
As for Larsson, it was a case of injecting energy on the second night of the back-to-back set, with the second-year guard dynamic in his 23:45, with energy plays that transcended his seven points, three assists and three steals.
“Pelle really sparked everything in that third quarter with his passion, his energy,” Spoelstra said of when the Heat rallied into the lead with a 37-24 quarter.
Said Adebayo, “Nobody’s going to mention it, but Pelle Larsson, we got a lot of scrappy dudes in this locker room.”
Message received
Adebayo offered a curious response when asked about not only closing with 25 points and 10 rebounds Monday night, but also seizing control in the final minutes with the Heat’s final four points in the last 91 seconds, as well as stout perimeter defense against James Harden.
“I’ve been watching somebody in the summer do that a lot,” he said with a smile. “So I took some pointers.”
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Adebayo only recently publicly acknowledged his ongoing relationship with girlfriend A’ja Wilson, the four-time WNBA Most Valuable Player.
Still working
Sidelined guard Tyler Herro, rehabilitating from his September ankle surgery while on the trip, continues to receive votes of confidence from Spoelstra.
Asked how Herro would fit in a return expected later this month, Spoelstra smiled.
“That’s easy to figure out,” Spoelstra said. “He’s doing well. And his skill level, I mean, come on, he’s one of the most skilled guys in the league.
“It’s going to fit, it’s going to add. We miss him dearly.”
Onward
And now, like so many Heat trips over the years, it’s finishing at altitude in Denver.
The Heat have not won a regular-season game in Denver since Nov. 30, 2016, when Hassan Whiteside paced a 107-98 victory with 25 points, 16 rebounds and four blocked shots, in a game Luke Babbitt and Josh McRoberts started for the Heat.
Since then, there have been eight consecutive losses in Denver, including 135-122 last November.
“I don’t remember the last time we won there in a regular-season game,” said Spoelstra, with the Heat having gone 1-2 in Denver during the 2023 NBA Finals. “We’ll play it on Mt. Everest, if we have to.”
