Injury Woes for Miami Heat Ahead of Clash with Kings
The Miami Heat’s injury list has taken a significant toll as the team prepares to face the Sacramento Kings on Saturday night. Guards Tyler Herro, Davion Mitchell, and Pelle Larsson have all been ruled out for the contest, creating a challenging situation for the Heat as they seek to maintain their momentum.
Guarding Against Injuries
Tyler Herro, who is nursing a toe contusion, was previously deemed doubtful after missing the game last night. His absence will surely be felt on both ends of the court. Pelle Larsson is sidelined due to tightness in his right hip flexor, while Davion Mitchell will miss the game because of groin tightness.
On a somewhat positive note, Norman Powell has been cleared to play after being listed as questionable with an ankle sprain. However, Dru Smith, who had not appeared on the injury report earlier, is now considered probable due to hip tightness.
Game Details and Context
Scheduled for December 6 at 8:00 p.m. EST, the game will take place at the Kaseya Center in Miami. Fans can catch the action on FanDuel Sports Network Sun in South Florida or NBC Sports California in Sacramento. For those tuning in via radio, the game will be aired on WQAM 104.3 & The Heat Audio Experience, along with several other local stations.
This matchup marks the first of two regular-season meetings between the Heat (14-9) and the struggling Kings (5-17). Last season, Sacramento managed to sweep the series, winning both games by a narrow combined margin of six points, including one that extended into double overtime. Historically, the Heat have dominated the Kings, boasting a 47-26 record in their all-time series, with an impressive 31-6 mark at home.
Projected Starters and Key Players
For the Heat, the projected starters include:
G Davion Mitchell
G Norman Powell
C Kel’el Ware
F Andrew Wiggins
F Bam Adebayo
The Kings will likely counter with:
G Russell Westbrook
G Zach LaVine
C Drew Eubanks
F DeMar DeRozan
F Keegan Murray
Injury Report Overview
Miami Heat:
Tyler Herro: Out – Toe
Norman Powell: Available – Ankle
Davion Mitchell: Out – Groin
Pelle Larsson: Out – Hip
Dru Smith: Probable – Hip
Kasparas Jakucionis: Out – G League
Myron Gardner: Out – G League
Vladislav Goldin: Out – G League
Terry Rozier: Out – Not with team
Sacramento Kings:
Dennis Schroder: Out – Hip
Domantas Sabonis: Out – Knee
Betting Lines and Predictions
According to FanDuel Sportsbook, the betting lines for the game are as follows:
Spread: Heat -9 (-112), Kings +9 (-108)
Moneyline: Heat -400, Kings +315
Total points scored: 241.5 (over -112, under -108)
Coach’s Insights
Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra addressed the team’s performance, noting, “That starting group was a little bit uneven tonight. We got to continue to work on that. I just want to see that group, when we play bigger, for it to be a plus. We have some work to do there. Should be a very defensive group, but that’s a group that hasn’t been able to defend so far and we have to work on that.”
As the Heat gear up for this critical matchup, the injury crisis presents a considerable challenge. Fans will be eager to see how the team adapts and whether they can overcome these obstacles to secure a much-needed victory against the Kings.
