Injuries could prevent the Miami Heat from putting their best foot forward in their Eastern Conference Semifinal against the Philadelphia 76ers. The Heat have six different players listed as questionable for Game 1 on Monday night, including three starters. That is in addition to starting point guard Kyle Lowry, who is confirmed as unavailable against the Sixers.
Heat injury report.
— Ira Winderman (@IraHeatBeat) May 1, 2022
Questionable:
Morris, illness
Martin, ankle
Tucker, calf
Herro, respiratory
Strus, hamstring
Butler, knee
Plus Lowry out due to hamstring.
Lowry missed the final two games of the Heat’s opening-round series against the Atlanta Hawks with a hamstring injury. However, the injury could have been impacting his effectiveness leading up to his absence. Lowry was averaging just 8.3 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 5.3 assists through the first three postseason games.
Gabe Vincent took over ball-handling duties with Lowry unavailable. Vincent was only marginally more effective, totaling 20 points, seven rebounds, and eight assists across his two starts.
An injury to Sixers’ MVP candidate Joel Embiid has leveled the playing field in the semifinal matchup. The Heat enter Monday night’s contest as -7.5 favorites at FanDuel Sportsbook despite the lengthy injury report.
