ASK IRA: Does Terry Rozier return as a starter or substitute for the Heat?

Q: What happens when Terry Rozier returns? – Phil. A: This is such an open-ended question that I could go in a variety of directions. But I’ll assume you are asking whether Terry Rozier returns to the starting lineup.

Part of it could be the opponent. But with Dallas without sidelined Luka Doncic, there shouldn’t be as much of a need to consider additional defensive components beyond Haywood Highsmith, who potentially could defend Kyrie Irving. Still, with the door having opened for Erik Spoelstra, the hunch is that Terry comes off the bench.



While it could be cast as a precaution with Terry’s sore right foot , it also would allow Spoelstra to get a feel for how a bench rotation would look and work with Terry. Now, if Jaime Jaquez Jr. also is available, then we could have multiple moving parts.

But, as Spoelstra would say, it’s a good problem to have. Related Articles Q: Pelle Larsson is the kind of two-way player that the Heat love. So where’s the love? – Andy.

A: He’s also a rookie, so that means having to earn his way in. Because of the need at his position (and injuries to others at his position), he arguably has received more time that might be expected of a player from his draft spot in the second round. If Jaime Jaquez Jr.

remains out, I still see Pelle Larsson being among the first players off the bench. But he also will have to earn continued time while in the game. Monday against the 76ers, that wasn’t the case.

Q: Ira, Jimmy Butler was great after a week off . Now he has five days off. I expect big things Sunday against the Mavericks.

– Mitch. A: But Dallas also is a team that has defended Jimmy Butler very well, especially with size. As far as being rested, it will be interesting to see how Jimmy and the Heat handle this upcoming stretch of three games in four nights, with Tuesday’s home game against the Bucks and Wednesday’s home road game in Charlotte to follow.

If there is consistency over this stretch, then I think the concerns about age and health can get put aside – at least for the moment..