LOS ANGELES – Observations and other notes of interest from Wednesday night’s 110-96 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers:
– Something fascinating happened with 4:26 to play in the third quarter after Nikola Jovic was called for his fourth foul.
– Erik Spoelstra left him on the floor.
– Because he needed him.
– To Spoelstra, wins and losses aside, the regular season also can be a journey of discovery.
– This night certainly was that for the Heat’s 2022 first-round pick out of Serbia.
– Even as it was left to others to close.
– Showing the flashes of his offensive game, Jovic also was aggressive on the boards.
– And he competed on the defensive end.
– Even as the fouls continued to be an issue.
– Since camp, Spoelstra has spoken of the need for Jovic to play.
– Thus the time in the G League.
– But with Caleb Martin still sidelined and Haywood Highsmith still out, the minutes were available against the Lakers.
– Jovic largely seized them.
– Yes, he still needs to shoot the three without hesitation.
– But his off-the-bounce play is an element otherwise largely lacking.
– No, shorthanded is not the optimal way to go.
– But it is the way to show.
– Spoelstra played a hunch in starting Jovic.
– Jovic provided more than likely expected.
– There is an NBA game there.
– When the opportunity arises.
– Jovic opened alongside Bam Adebayo, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Tyler Herro and Kyle Lowry.
– It was the second time this season opened with that lineup, after previously utilizing it in the road loss to the Timberwolves the first weekend of the season.
– Jovic did not play until mop-up duty in Monday night’s lopsided losses to the Clippers.
– The options were limited with Jimmy Butler, Martin and Highsmith again out.
– The Lakers opened with Austin Reaves, Taurean Prince, Cam Reddish, LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
– Available again for the Heat was Josh Richardson, who had missed the previous four games with a back issue.
– Of Richardson, Spoelstra said going in, “He was playing a lot of minutes and was really starting to get into a better rhythm.”
– Of continuing to play shorthanded, Spoelstra said pregame, “I think more important is a great talent your team can develop is you figure out how to win while you’re dealing with all the other stuff that everybody deals with in this Association. You still can find ways to win and do it in different ways.”
– Kevin Love was first off the Heat bench.
– Followed by Duncan Robinson.
– With Richardson entering with 3:20 remaining in the opening period as the third reserve.
– While Jaquez made his Los Angeles pro debut on Monday night against the Clippers, he said going against the Lakers was a whole other level of homecoming.
– “Yeah,” he said, “I grew up a Lakers fan. Koby Bryant was my favorite player, so to be able to go and play in this arena with the Heat is really special.”
– Jaquez on Wednesday entered Crypto.Com Arena with the John Wooden jacket he was presented earlier in the week by the UCLA staff.
– “It’s really special,” he said. “They’ve been having those jackets, always wanted one.”
– He added, “A year later, after I’m done with school, I finally get to get that jacket.”
– For the second time in three nights, he received a warm ovation when introduced at Crypto.com Arena.
– Jaquez’s first 3-point attempt was the 100th of his career.
– Herro’s second assist moved him past Jason Williams for 16th on the Heat all-time list.
– Dwyane Wade was among those in attendance.
