Heat star Jimmy Butler was one of six Miami players listed as questionable for the team’s Game 1 against the Sixers on Monday, Sun Sentinel’s Ira Winderman writes. Butler missed game 5 with the Hawks last week due to knee inflammation, but he still plans to play in game 1.
With Butler, Tyler Herro (sick), Max Strus (hamstring), PJ Tucker (calf), Caleb Martin (ankle) and Markieff Morris (illness) is also questionable. Protect the starting point Kyle Lowry will also miss his third game in a row due to a hamstring strain.
On the other hand, the Sixers will not have Joel Embiid (mild concussion and orbital fracture). The teams will also meet in Miami for Game 2 on Wednesday before heading to Philadelphia for Game 3 on Friday.
Here are some other notes from the East:
- Ira Winderman check it Doc Rivers failed Sixers setup in his latest “Ask Ira” mail bag. Rivers kept Embiid in for game 6 with the Raptors last week, which is when Embiid suffered his injury. The Sixers are leading with 29 points with 3:58 left.
- Cavaliers front Dean Wade was cleared after his meniscus surgery, Cleveland.com’s Chris Fedor tweeted. Wade will return to court activities. Last month, the Cavaliers lost to the Hawks in a play-in, failing to reach the knockout stages despite an impressive season.
- Giant hornet can’t miss their next move, Roderick Boone of the Charlotte Observer writes. The team is looking for another head coach after shoot James Borrego. Boone considers what the club should look for in its next coach, noting that the Hornets are determined to qualify for the knockout stages next year.
