“This has been six months of this kind of life that we’ve existed and then we still don’t know who will be available for them.” “Again, it’s not like we’re just doing this today,” Spoelstra said. The Heat ended up that low in the standings in part because of how often they were without a healthy lineup, so they are used to facing the unknown. Coach Erik Spoelstra said Monday that the Heat might not have an update on his availability until shortly before the game at Madison Square Garden.īutler is their most important player, scoring 56 and 42 points in the final two games of their first-round series, when the Heat knocked off Milwaukee to become the sixth No. Miami pulled out a 108-101 victory on Sunday even with Butler slowed down the stretch after spraining his right ankle with 5:05 to play. The Heat and Knicks will be followed by Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinal series between the Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Lakers. That makes it hard to predict what will happen when the Heat try for a 2-0 lead in their Eastern Conference semifinal series on Tuesday night.īoth players were listed as questionable for the game, as was Knicks guard Jalen Brunson, all because of ankle injuries.

The Knicks aren't sure yet about Julius Randle.

Jimmy Butler's status is uncertain for Miami.

The Shoulders of Giants by Jim Cliff