Kel'el

Ware

Jović missed Sunday’s game, which didn’t end up having a clear impact on the rotation due to the lopsided score. If he remains out, Simone Fontecchio and Kel’el Ware should take on extra minutes.

One positive of a blowout victory, besides the outcome, is that those late-game minutes can serve as a confidence boost for players whose opportunities may have decreased. After playing three minutes in Saturday’s loss to the Bulls, Ware was able to play 18 minutes in the rematch. Given his inconsistent production and playing time, fantasy managers should not read too much into his Sunday night. Hopefully, it will serve as a catalyst for the second-year center.

Jović was initially doubtful for Sunday’s game, so the downgrade in status is not a surprise. Simone Fontecchio may pick up a few additional minutes, while fantasy managers will hope to see more of Kel’el Ware than three minutes of play.

Ware is back after a four-game absence, giving the Heat needed depth in the frontcourt. His return will likely lead to fewer minutes for Nikola Jović, who offered solid streaming value while Ware was out.

Ware has been sidelined for Miami’s last four games but could return to the lineup against Orlando. Nikola Jovic has taken on a larger role with Ware out, and he has been a solid streaming option for fantasy managers. He should remain productive if Ware remains out.

With Kel’el Ware (hamstring) out, Jović has essentially been Bam Adebayo’s backup in recent games. That’s required some adjusting on his part. After struggling in the first three games of the Heat’s west coast trip, Jović had one of his best games of the season on Saturday. He finished with his fourth 20-point game and first since December 29. With Ware already back in Miami, Jović will once again take on an expanded role on Sunday in Phoenix.

Including Thursday’s game against the Trail Blazers, Ware has missed Miami’s last two games with a strained left hamstring. With the 7-footer returning to Miami to undergo further treatment, the expectation is that he will miss at least the remainder of the road trip, which concludes with a Saturday/Sunday back-to-back against the Jazz and Suns. With Ware unavailable, the Heat will have to go small when starting center Bam Adebayo isn’t on the floor, likely resulting in more minutes for Nikola Jović and Simone Fontecchio.

Initially listed to be dealing with tightness in his left hamstring, Ware’s diagnosis has been changed to a strain. Thursday’s game will be the second he’s missed due to the injury, which should give Nikola Jović and Simone Fontecchio a few more minutes. Neither player is worth the streaming risk in most leagues.

Ware did not play in Tuesday’s win over the Kings, with his minutes being distributed among multiple players. What also helped the Heat account for the second-year center’s absence was an improved performance from Bam Adebayo, who shot 1-of-13 from the field in Monday’s loss to the Warriors. While Nikola Jović and Simone Fontecchio may pick up a few additional minutes when Ware sits, neither is worth rostering in most fantasy leagues.

Ware’s hamstring will keep him out of Tuesday’s game, which is the second in as many nights for the Heat. Starter Bam Adebayo may see his playing time increase slightly due to the lack of healthy bigs on the Heat roster.