The Miami Heat play host to the New Orleans Pelicans Sunday at Kaseya Center
Miami Heat star Norman Powell Jr., is likely a game-time decision for Sunday against the New Orleans Pelicans.
He left Saturday's game against the Minnesota Timberwolves with a leg injury but did return in the second half. The Heat have yet to submit their injury report. Coach Erik Spoelstra should update Powell's status when he speaks to the media at 4:15 p.m.
Here's the full injury report:
HEAT
Pelle Larsson: Questionable (ankle)
Bam Adebayo: Available (back)
Tyler Herro: Out (toe)
Davion Mitchell: Available (ankle)
Norman Powell: Questionable (leg)
Terry Rozier: Out (Not With Team)
Kasparas Jakucionis: Available (ankle)
Jaime Jaquez: Available (calf)
Jahmir Young: Doubtful (G League)
Kel'el Ware: Available (Quad)
Vladislav Goldin: Out (G League)
PELICANS
Saddiq Bey: Out (hip flexor)
Hunter Dickinson: Out (G League)
Herbert Jones: Out (ankle)
Trey Murphy III: Questionable (back)
Dejounte Murray: Out: (Achilles)
Derik Queen: Questionable (Quad)
Here's the game preview:
Game time: 6 p.m., Kaseya Center, Miami
TV: FanDuel Sports Network
Betting line: Heat -7
VITALS: The Heat and Pelicans meet for the first of two regular season matchups. Last season, Miami swept the series, 2-0, and has currently won nine of the last 10 overall against New Orleans. The HEAT are 28-21 all-time versus New Orleans during the regular season, including 18-7 in home games and 10-14 in road games. Zion Williams is ranked second in the league with 16.2 paint points per game. He is one of two players to ever average 24.5 points and shoot 55 percent from the field, joining Hall of Famer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. On Jan. 2, Williamson had 35 points, eight rebounds, two steals, two blocks against the Portland Trail Blazers. The Heat are coming off a loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves. This is their second straight home game. Norman Powell left the game with leg soreness but did return.
PROJECTED STARTERS
HEAT
G Davion Mitchell
G Norman Powell
C Kel'el Ware
F Bam Adebayo
F Andrew Wiggins
PELICANS
F Bryce McGowens
F Zion Williamson
C Yves Missi
G Jordan Poole
G Jeremiah Fears
QUOTABLE
Heat forward Norman Powell on if they're a great team: “Definitely not. We have stretches where we see the potential of the teams but good/great teams it’s their identity every single night. That’s where we’re building too… We’re a young team we’ll continue to figure it out but as you get later in season past All Star break we have to have that identity locked in”
Heat forward Bam Adebayo on state of team: “I think we show flashes, so you can't really dictate how close or not we are. I think just being more consistent. Understand that every game is not gonna be the same. Understand, obviously, different personnel, and we just got to think the game more.”
Shandel Richardson is the publisher of HeatRoundtable. He can be reached at shandelrich@gmail.com