TORONTO — Amid a scattershot season that has dropped the Miami Heat to the bottom of the play-in pack stands a story at the rare intersection of played out and barely at play.

Tuesday night’s loss to the Toronto Raptors only added to the questions, with Tyler Herro and Norman Powell playing just nine minutes together in Powell’s return from a four-game absence.

With Powell working back from a debilitating illness, coach Erik Spoelstra chose to play him off the bench for only the fourth time as a member of the Heat.

That minimized the side-by-side opportunities with Herro, including again solely and either/or approach in the first half.

In the end, as with the overall performance by the Heat, it did not play out very well, with the Heat with a -33.3 net rating with Herro and Powell on the court together on Tuesday night.

“At this point, it’s about wins and whoever is out there to win the games,” Herro said ahead of Tuesday night’s game, with the teams back at it at Scotiabank Arena for a Thursday night rematch. “Obviously, we all want to play with each other. We all play the right way. I think Norm and I can play together. But whatever works.”

While Herro and Powell both closed with 14 points on Tuesday night, Herro did it on 5-of-8 shooting, while Powell shot 4 of 12.

Powell said it was clear the Raptors’ focus was on the two.

“They’re denying me and Tyler,” he said.

While the two went into Tuesday night’s game having played together in only 17 games for a total of 249 minutes, Spoelstra said Tuesday night’s bench role was more about working Powell back up to speed after 10 days off from game action.

“That was the intention for this game, and we’ll see what we do moving forward,” Spoelstra said.

In all, Herro and Powell have started together only 10 times through the season’s first 79 games, with the Heat 4-6 in those 10.

Slow playing the pairing again could be the approach Thursday.

“It’s tough, just trying to get my wind,” Powell said, “you know, a little tired quickly, coughing and stuff throughout the game. But, you know, I got to figure it out.

“And I just continue to play and go out there and give as much effort as I can as my immune system gets back fully healthy and my airways and stuff open up. But yeah, I mean, it’s tough because, you know, you’re feeling a little sluggish and things like that, but it’s not an excuse. I just got to continue to work my way rather quickly and get back to my full 100% self.”

Young honored

Heat two-way player Jahmir Young has been named second-team 2025-26 All-NBA G League.

Young appeared in 25 regular-season games for the Sioux Falls Skyforce, averaging 26 points, 8.9 assists, and 4.6 rebounds in 38.1 minutes, shooting .471 from the field, .376 on 3-pointers and .815 from the foul line.

Young was named NBA G League Player of the Month for January and in February participated in the NBA Rising Stars game during All-Star Weekend in Los Angeles.

Garden Party

Acclaimed former players Glen Rice, Bob McAdoo and Ruth Hunter will be among those representing the team when the Heat unveil a garden and exterior landscaping upgrade Thursday at Driftwood Middle School in Hollywood as part of an Earth Day commemoration.

Per the Heat, “Featuring a butterfly garden, planting beds, and indoor hydroponic towers, students will help by planting flowers, vegetables, and greenery, creating a welcoming and peaceful environment.”

The event will include a pep rally, with Driftwood Middle having been nationally recognized as a Green Ribbon School, receiving multiple honors for efforts in sustainability and environmental stewardship.