The Brooklyn Nets and Miami Heat meet Thursday night at Kaseya Center with both teams managing several absences ahead of their latest Eastern Conference matchup.
Miami enters the game with a 33–29 record and currently holds the eighth seed in the conference standings. Brooklyn, meanwhile, sits near the bottom of the East at 15–46 and is looking to halt a nine-game losing streak.
The Heat will be without one of their leading scorers, as Norman Powell is ruled out with a right groin strain. Powell has been Miami’s top offensive producer this season, averaging 22.5 points per game while shooting 39.0% from three-point range.
His absence shifts more scoring responsibility to Bam Adebayo and Andrew Wiggins. Adebayo is averaging 18.7 points and 9.9 rebounds per game, while Wiggins contributes 16.0 points on 47.5% shooting from the field.
Tyler Herro has also played a major role in Miami’s offense during his appearances this season. The guard is averaging 21.1 points across 17 games while shooting 49.3% from the field and 36.3% from beyond the arc.
The Heat will also be without forward Simone Fontecchio due to a left groin strain and Nikola Jovic because of low back injury management. Terry Rozier is listed as out and not with the team.
Several additional Miami players are unavailable due to G League assignments. Vladislav Goldin and Trevor Keels are out on two-way contracts, while Keshad Johnson is on assignment.
Brooklyn enters the game after a 124–98 loss to Miami on March 3. That defeat marked the Nets’ second loss to the Heat this season following a 106–95 setback in December.
The Nets will be without rookie guard Egor Demin, who is sidelined for injury management related to a left plantar fascia issue. Demin has averaged 10.3 points and 3.3 assists in 52 games.
Brooklyn’s offense continues to run through Michael Porter Jr., who leads the team with 24.1 points per game while shooting 36.7% from three-point range. The forward also contributes 6.9 rebounds and 3.1 assists.
Center Nic Claxton remains a key interior presence, averaging 12.5 points, 7.1 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game.
Other Nets absences include Tyson Etienne, Chaney Johnson and E.J. Liddell due to G League assignments. Drake Powell is also out while on assignment.
Thursday’s matchup will be the third meeting between the teams this season. Miami has won the previous two games by double digits, including Tuesday’s 26-point victory at home.
Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET in Miami as the Heat look to strengthen their playoff position while Brooklyn searches for its first win of the month.
