Miami Heat put up a big third quarter to ease to victory in the NBA Cup over the Toronto Raptors.
Amid a desire to find a winning formula, Erik Spoelstra has made a couple of changes on the Miami Heat.
One of these is moving Terry Rozier to the bench, with the former Celtics and Hornets guard struggling to hit form.
Speaking ahead of the game, Rozier, 30, told the Miami Herald he was ‘going to roll with it’, in reference to his demotion as a starter.
Terry Rozier ended up playing 25 minutes in rotation, and contributed 12 points to the team’s 121-111 win.
Rozier also had 3 rebounds and 4 assists, and the Heat were +3 when he was on the court.
It was a performance from a player who is still fighting for the team, and the 12 points was his seventh highest score this season – the most being 20.
Speaking after the game in the press conference, Heat superstar Jimmy Butler spoke of his admiration for Terry Rozier.
Butler praised his professional approach – but admitted he does not think he could drop to the bench and be as positive.
He said: “I think he’s a star, and he’s a star in a new role. I’m not going to lie to y’all, I don’t think I could do it.
“Kudos for him, for doing whatever the team needs for him to do. He comes in and plays the same role, being aggressive, getting everybody involved, guarding.”
Butler added that he believes Rozier has contributed importantly to the Heat’s winning season (9-8).
“He’s a big piece, a big reason we have been in games and that we have won games as of late, so whatever his role is he’s damn good at it and I appreciate him.”
“He knows he belongs, he knows he’s going to get right, even when he can’t get right.”
Butler last week said he believes the Heat’s roster is still short of where they need to be.
Erik Spoelstra said of Rozier: “Whatever his role is, he is important, I really want him to fast-track to get comfortable.”
He also added: “He’s looked a lot better the last two games.”
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