Q: Well, they just reverted to their old ways and fell apart. – Roland, Borrego Springs, Calif.
A: Because 11 games hardly was an ultimate sample size and teams will adjust. The hype was a bit much from the start when it came to the Heat’s start. The victory over the Grizzlies is what just about everyone has done. Ditto for beating the Clippers. That doesn’t mean there isn’t something here and can’t be something here. But let’s get a bit more of a sample size, see if zone defense can steal the Heat’s offensive soul, if size can cut Jaime Jaquez Jr. down to size, if turnovers will catch up to the pace. Wednesday was humbling. Was it also revealing?
Q: New York is another game we might take lightly because their star is out. – Nat.
A: Yes, it does not look like Jalen Brunson will be available for either of the Knicks’ upcoming games Friday and Monday because of the ankle sprain sustained Wednesday night against the Magic. But if Wednesday wasn’t ample lesson enough for the Heat against a shorthanded Cleveland team, then shame on them. With the Heat without Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo, it’s not as if they are in any position to take anyone lightly.
Q: Ira, with Bradley Beal out for the season, how much Norman Powell egg do the Clippers have on their faces now? – Alan.
A: Look, injuries are the great unknown, even if they have been quite known with Bradley Beal. The upshot with the Clippers’ offseason moves was to turn Norman Powell’s cap space into John Collins and Beal. But the NBA rarely has been a league where quantity trumps quality, and Norman was pure quality last season for the Clippers and has been the same this season for the Heat. The Beal-Collins moves were a reminder that it often is about more than new shiny pieces, but rather pieces that fit. Now it basically is up to Collins to salvage the deal, and perhaps even that Clippers’ season amid Kawhi Leonard’s ongoing absences.