Grizzlies at Heat
The Miami Heat have missed the playoffs in two of the last three seasons and look to change that trend with a new face of the franchise as they open the 2019-2020 campaign against the visiting Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday night. Three of last season’s five scorers are gone, including retired future Hall of Famer Dwyane Wade, and All-Star Jimmy Butler hopes to lead the Heat back near the top of the Eastern Conference.
“The fans embraced (Wade), the way that he worked, the person that he was, obviously the player he was, all the winning that he’s done, I want to be a part of it,” Butler told espn.com. “All I want to do is to continue to pick up where he left off, keep his culture going in the right direction.” Butler, who averaged a combined 18.7 points while spending time with Minnesota and Philadelphia last season before coming to Miami in a sign-and-trade with the 76ers, will be the go-to player for a team that also lost leading scorer Josh Richardson along with top rebounder and shot blocker Hassan Whiteside. Memphis won 11 more games last season than it did in 2017-18, but is in the midst of a rebuild after dealing franchise stalwarts Michael Conley and Marc Gasol, and will build around second-overall pick Ja Morant as he runs the show for first-year coach Taylor Jenkins. “I feel like we have a lot of talent here where I don’t have to score,” Morant told the Commercial Appeal. “But I’m going to still be aggressive.”
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, FS Southeast (Memphis), FS Sun (Miami)
ABOUT THE GRIZZLIES (2018-19: 33-49): Morant should be backed up well by Tyus Jones and fellow former Duke star Grayson Allen will join Dillon Brooks battling for playing time at the shooting guard spot. Jaren Jackson Jr., the fourth-overall pick in the 2018 draft, averaged 13.8 points as a rookie and will be the top option up front while 2019 first-round selection Brandon Clarke should be in the rotation from the start. Veteran center Jonas Valnciunas, who averaged 19.9 points in 19 games with Memphis after being acquired from Toronto, has been hampered by a foot injury in the preseason but is expected to be ready for the opener.
ABOUT THE HEAT (2018-19: 39-43): Coach Erik Spoelstra hopes for a healthier season from veteran guard Goran Dragic, who averaged 13.7 points and 4.8 assists in just 36 contests last season as Miami finished two games out of playoff position. The Heat won’t have guard Dion Waiters (12 points per game last season) on Wednesday after he was suspended for conduct detrimental to the team, and impressive rookie Tyler Herro could start. Newcomer Meyers Leonard and potential breakout star Bam Adebayo (8.9 points) should take most of the minutes in Whiteside’s spot at center and holdover Justise Winslow (12.6 points) provides versatility.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Memphis F Jae Crowder is playing for his fourth team in four seasons and averaged 11.9 points with Utah in 2018-19.
2. Miami G Kendrick Nunn, an undrafted rookie, scored 40 points in the team’s final preseason game against Houston.
3. The Heat have won the last four meetings, including a 112-108 decision at Miami last January with 26 points from Winslow.