NBA Player News
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Dru Smith SG | MIA
Heat's Dru Smith: Dealing with calf soreness
Smith is listed as questionable for Saturday's game against Memphis due to left calf soreness.
Smith played just three minutes off the bench during Miami's 128-97 win over Atlanta on Friday, when he failed to make his lone three-point attempt. Davion Mitchell (illness) is listed as doubtful, so if Smith is unable to play, then more minutes would be available for the likes of Kasparas Jakucionis, Pelle Larsson and Myron Gardner.
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Nikola Jovic PF | MIA
Heat's Nikola Jovic: Nursing back injury
Jovic is listed as questionable for Saturday's game against the Grizzlies due to lower-back tightness.
Jovic played just three minutes during the Heat's blowout win over the Hawks on Friday but may have tweaked his back in the process. He's failed to play more than 10 minutes in four of his last six outings, and his absence would lead to slightly more playing time being available for Simone Fontecchio and Jaime Jaquez.
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Norman Powell SG | MIA
Heat's Norman Powell: Nursing head illness
Powell (illness) is listed as probable for Saturday's game against the Grizzlies.
Powell and Davion Mitchell are both dealing with head illnesses, though the former is likely to suit up for Saturday's contest while the latter is listed as doubtful. Powell played 25 minutes in Miami's 128-97 blowout win over Atlanta on Friday and finished with 15 points (5-13 FG, 2-8 3Pt, 3-3 FT), three rebounds, two assists and one steal. Jaime Jaquez, Pelle Larsson and Myron Gardner would likely take on expanded roles if Powell is unable to play.
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Davion Mitchell PG | MIA
Heat's Davion Mitchell: Unlikely to play Saturday
Mitchell (illness) is listed as doubtful for Saturday's game against the Grizzlies.
Mitchell was able to play through a head illness during the Heat's 128-97 win over the Hawks on Friday, when he logged seven points, seven assists, five rebounds, three blocks and one steal over 27 minutes. It appears the illness will prevent Mitchell from playing in the second leg of Miami's back-to-back set Saturday, and his absence will likely result in rookie first-rounder Kasparas Jakucionis being moved into the starting lineup against Memphis.
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Tyler Herro PG | MIA
Heat's Tyler Herro: Likely to play Saturday
Herro (ribs) is listed as probable for Saturday's game against the Grizzlies.
Herro returned from a 15-game absence due to a rib injury against the Hawks on Friday, playing 23 minutes off the bench and finishing with 24 points, four rebounds, three assists and one steal in a 128-97 win. He appears to be on track to play in the second leg of Miami's back-to-back set Saturday, though he'll likely remain on a minutes restriction as he gets eased back from the rib injury.
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Jrue Holiday PG | POR
Trail Blazers' Jrue Holiday: Hits for team-high 19 in rout
Holiday ended with 19 points (6-10 FG, 4-8 3Pt, 3-3 FT), two rebounds, two assists and one steal across 25 minutes during Friday's 157-103 loss to the Nuggets.
The 19 points led the Blazers on the night, but Holiday didn't play in the fourth quarter of the rout. The veteran guard has scored in double digits in all seven of his February appearances, averaging 20.3 points, 5.4 assists, 4.9 boards, 3.0 threes and 1.0 steals on the month in 28.1 minutes a contest while shooting 53.8 percent from the floor and 45.7 percent from beyond the arc.
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Deni Avdija SG | POR
Trail Blazers' Deni Avdija: Teases triple-double against Denver
Avdija contributed 15 points (5-10 FG, 0-4 3Pt, 5-7 FT), eight rebounds and 13 assists across 30 minutes during Friday's 157-103 loss to the Nuggets.
The game was never competitive, but Avdija still put together a strong performance as he came a couple of dimes short of his fourth triple-double of the season. The 25-year-old forward sat out the final game before the All-Star break due to a sore back, an issue that's been bothering him since mid-January, but he's remained productive when he's been on the court. Over his last seven appearances dating back to Jan. 18, Avdija is averaging 18.6 points, 7.9 boards, 6.0 assists and 1.4 threes in 27.6 minutes.
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Caleb Martin SF | DAL
Mavericks' Caleb Martin: Limited playing time off bench
Martin (ankle) recorded four points (1-2 FG, 2-2 FT), two rebounds, two steals and one assist across 15 minutes Friday in the Mavericks' 122-111 loss to the Timberwolves.
Martin missed the Mavericks' previous game Feb. 12 against the Lakers due to a left ankle sprain and was listed as questionable ahead of Friday's contest, but the extended rest provided by the All-Star break proved to be enough for him to move past the injury. After making 10 starts in an 11-game stretch and averaging 25.4 minutes per contest from Jan. 15 through Feb. 7, the veteran forward came off the bench for his second straight appearance and once again had a relatively muted role. Martin's minutes could drop further once the Mavericks get Cooper Flagg (foot) and Max Christie (ankle) back in the mix.
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Spencer Jones SF | DEN
Nuggets' Spencer Jones: Nabs first career double-double
Jones notched 10 points (4-6 FG, 2-2 3Pt), 10 rebounds, two assists and one block over 30 minutes off the bench during Friday's 157-103 victory over the Trail Blazers.
The second-year forward saw some extra run in the rout, and he used the opportunity to record his first career double-double. Even with Nikola Jokic and Cameron Johnson both healthy, Jones should still have a significant role in the frontcourt while Aaron Gordon (hamstring) and Peyton Watson (hamstring) are on the shelf, but Jones will need to stay on the court himself -- he's missed four of eight February games, three due to a concussion and one due to a coach's decision.
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Naji Marshall SG | DAL
Mavericks' Naji Marshall: Delivers well-rounded line
Marshall (foot) recorded 15 points (5-16 FG, 0-4 3Pt, 5-7 FT), five rebounds, three assists and three steals in 33 minutes Friday in the Mavericks' 122-111 loss to the Timberwolves.
Marshall had been forced out of the Mavericks' previous game Feb. 12 against the Lakers due to a left foot strain, but the All-Star break afforded him plenty of time to heal. He was back in the starting five for the second straight game and came through with a well-rounded stat line, though his efficiency left something to be desired. Marshall is still converting at a robust 52.6 percent clip from the field on the season, though he's offering little production from beyond the arc (0.9 triples per game).