After losing Game 1, Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra is taking a new approach in Game 2 of the NBA Finals.
Miami is making a significant change to its starting lineup, inserting veteran big Kevin Love, who has not played in either of the Heat’s past three games.
Love has started 14 of Miami’s 19 postseason games. Love is averaging 6.9 points and 5.8 rebounds in 18.0 minutes per game. His greatest game came in Game 5 of the first round, when he produced a 15-point, 12-rebound double-double against Milwaukee before fouling out.
Here’s why Spoelstra is making a change before of a pivotal game against the Nuggets.
Heat starting lineup for Game 2 of the NBA Finals
• Starting lineup: Gabe Vincent, Max Strus, Jimmy Butler, Kevin Love, and Bam Adebayo.
With Love in the lineup, the Heat will shift forward Caleb Martin to the bench. Martin, who struggled in Game 1, also missed Miami’s most recent practise due to sickness.
By signing Love, the Heat add another big man to their starting lineup as they seek to counter the size of Nikola Jokic (6-11), Michael Porter Jr. (6-10) and Aaron Gordon (6-8). Gordon annihilated Miami’s smaller defenders in Game 1 of the series, while Jokic ended with 27 points, 14 assists, and 10 rebounds.
Love is listed at 6-8, but he has played larger than his stature this playoffs. He also provides Finals experience, as Game 2 will be his 17th game in the series.
Before Game 2, Spoelstra said of Love, “I had every intention to play him in Game 1, and everything went a bunch of different ways.”
Starting lineups for the Heat vs. Nuggets in the NBA Finals
• Gabe Vincent, Max Strus, Caleb Martin, Jimmy Butler, and Bam Adebayo (Game 1)
• Game 2: Gabe Vincent, Max Strus, Jimmy Butler, Kevin Love, and Bam Adebayo
Game 2 of the 2023 NBA Finals is set to begin at 8 p.m. ET on Sunday, June 4. It will broadcast on ABC. Viewers in the United States can also watch Nuggets vs. Heat live on Sling TV.
Fans in the United States may watch the NBA Finals on Sling TV, which is now giving half off your first month! Stream your favourite sports on ABC for as little as $20 per month with Sling Orange.
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