MIAMI — With Kyle Lowry to miss a fourth consecutive playoff game with a strained left hamstring, Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said Tuesday that the team is not basing the veteran point guard’s status on where the team stands in a series.
“We’re not basing any of these decisions on whether we’re winning or losing,” Spoelstra said after the team’s practice, ahead of Wednesday’s 7:30 p.m. Game 2 against the Philadelphia 76ers. “This is what we think is best right now.”
The Heat lead the best-of-seven Eastern Conference semifinals series 1-0 after Monday night’s 106-92 victory.
Spoelstra, though, said it does make it easier knowing Gabe Vincent is capable of stepping in, with the Heat 3-0 this postseason with Vincent starting and Lowry sitting.
“And we’ve had enough opportunities this season with either Kyle or Jimmy [Butler] out where Gabe has been able to step into the starting unit and everybody feels confident that we can function on both sides of the floor.
“And that’s a credit to him, of earning that trust of everybody, players and staff alike. And that’s what we’ll just continue to do. We’ll play who’s available and then make adjustments after that.”
Guard Tyler Herro said he believed if the Heat found themselves in a dire situation that Lowry would be out there.
“Obviously if we’re losing, I’m sure he would be trying to get on the court a little faster,” Herro said.
The Heat are 15-7 this season in Lowry’s absence, including playoffs, as well as 21-9 with Vincent as a starter.
Lowry was injured in the Heat’s April 22 Game 3 victory over the Atlanta Hawks in the opening round.
Herro said Lowry’s absences have been alleviated with an abundance of playmakers such as himself, Butler, Vincent, Bam Adebayo and Victor Oladipo.
“We’re always next-man-up mentality,” Herro said. “And we have a bunch of guys who playmake. Bam’s our center, but he’s one of our best playmakers. Me and Vic both come off the bench, we can playmake, Jimmy, Gabe.
“So we’ve got a bunch of guys who can play make, whether Kyle’s in or not. But hopefully we can get him back soon.”
Butler, who had been experiencing knee soreness and missed the series clincher a week ago against the Hawks, has been removed from the Heat injury report. He missed Tuesday’s practice with an excused absence. Markieff Morris, who had been dealing with an illness, also was removed from the injury report.
Five players are listed as questionable for Wednesday, with all expected to play: Herro (ankle), Vincent (knee), Caleb Martin (ankle), P.J. Tucker (calf) and Max Strus (hamstring).
Embiid update
Philadelphia coach Doc Rivers said at Tuesday’s practice that sidelined center Joel Embiid did some work Monday in Philadelphia, “but I don’t want to give false hope, either” regarding a timetable for a possible return in the series.
Embiid is recovering from a concussion and a fractured orbital bone. He also will require thumb surgery in the offseason.
The 76ers started veteran DeAndre Jordan in Monday night’s loss and said he plans to do the same in Game 2.
Embiid is not expected until Friday’s Game 3 in Philadelphia, at the earliest.
“I know he did something yesterday, but not much,” Rivers said. “And I know he’s feeling a lot better.”
Why no Duncan
Spoelstra warned not to overstate the lack of action in Monday night’s series opener for Duncan Robinson, the first time the former starter was held out due to “Coach’s Decision” in more than three years.
“It literally could change next game,” Spoelstra said. “It’s a playoff rotation. He’s stable enough, he’s ready enough, and it might just be some moments where he really can change a quarter or a game and be ignitable.
“It’s just the way we went [Monday] night. But, like I said before we even started this series, this is probably going to feel like three or four different series by the times we get to the middle of it.”
