Kyle Lowry: “I’m not trying to overstep boundaries”

Kyle Lowry faced the Miami Heat for the first time since being traded in January, providing him with extra motivation, according to Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer.

Lowry was traded by Miami to Charlotte before signing with the Philadelphia 76ers after a buyout. Ahead of his 12th game with the Sixers, coach Nick Nurse observed a different energy in the veteran guard.

“I don’t know if it’s for (the Heat) or he’s finally starting to settle in,” Nurse said. “He was being a little ornery at shootaround today, and he hasn’t been yet. So it looks like he’s getting back to more of himself there.”

Lowry was pivotal in Monday’s win, sinking a crucial three-pointer and a reverse layup late in the game. He scored 16 points, his highest since joining the Sixers, and felt more at ease after his mid-season break.

“Nick said it to me today, he said ‘welcome back’ a little bit before in the morning,” Lowry said. “But I think it’s just one of those things I understand what our team needs sometimes. I’m not trying to overstep boundaries.

“I’m trying to help my teammates. And I know one thing about coach, he’s going to always let me be me. He trusts me and I trust him.”