Thomas

Bryant

Bryant played 11.6 minutes across 38 appearances last season. The Heat added Kel’el Ware in the draft, so Bryant may end up being their third option at center. He’ll be a solid depth piece, but there isn’t much fantasy value here.

Bryant pulled down double-digit boards for just the third time this season, and he finished with his second double-double of the campaign. The backup big man averaged 5.6 points and 3.6 rebounds across 11.4 minutes in 38 appearances for Miami this season, providing frontcourt depth behind Bam Adebayo. The minutes were his fewest since his rookie campaign, and Bryant should fill a similar role for Miami for the upcoming playoff run.

Love has been a solid depth piece for Miami, but he will be sidelined for the rest of their final regular season game. We’ll see if he’s able to return for the postseason, whether that is a Play-In game or a first round matchup. If he has to miss time, Haywood Highsmith should see extra minutes off the bench.

Based on the probable tag, Adebayo is on track to play against the Hawks on Tuesday. The Heat center has not missed a game since March 20, and that was due to a back injury. Look for Bam to again man the middle on Tuesday, with Thomas Bryant next in line if he has to sit.

Adebayo didn’t need much time to do his damage on Friday, as he finished one assist shy of a triple-double. The four turnovers weren’t great, but the overall stat line made up for that. Backup center Thomas Bryant also feasted, although he did some damage after the outcome was no longer in doubt. Shooting 11-of-16 from the field and 3-of-4 from the foul line, Bryant added 26 points, 12 rebounds, one assist, one steal, two blocks, and one 3-pointer in 20 minutes.

Love has not appeared in a game since February 27, leaving the Heat shorthanded in the frontcourt. Thomas Bryant will likely drop out of the rotation if he is cleared to play on Tuesday. With Bam Adebayo being active, neither Love nor Bryant would be worth rostering in most fantasy leagues.

Adebayo was back in the lineup after missing Wednesday’s win over Cleveland with a low back contusion. The All-Star center said afterward that he sat for maintenance reasons, and Friday’s workload supports that claim. Adebayo’s return resulted in fewer minutes for Thomas Bryant (8/3/0/0/1 with two 3-pointers in 11 minutes) and Nikola Jovic (10/1/1/1 with two 3-pointers in 19 minutes). As long as Bam stays healthy, there’s little to gain from rostering Bryant or Jovic in most leagues.

Adebayo will be back after missing Wednesday’s game. Thomas Bryant and Orlando Robinson split most of the center minutes, with Nikola Jovic also seeing a larger role in that game. However, with Bam back, Bryant and Robinson will barely see the floor, while Jovic will also lose out on some minutes.

Adebayo was held out of Wednesday’s win over the Cavaliers, with the All-Star center saying that he sat for precautionary reasons. If Bam cannot play on Friday, Thomas Bryant will remain in the starting lineup, with Orlando Robinson serving as the backup. Bryant only played 15 minutes against Cleveland, with Nikola Jovic experiencing the most significant boost in playing time.

Adebayo first appeared on the injury report with a lower back contusion on March 14, but he played through it because the Heat were shorthanded. While the team still isn’t back to full strength, the returns of Jimmy Butler and Nikola Jovic allowed Miami to rest its All-Star center. The fact that the Heat won despite being without Adebayo was a significant development for a team looking to crack the top 6 in the East. Miami hosts New Orleans on Friday, and Bam should be considered questionable. If he’s cleared, there would be no need to stream Thomas Bryant or Orlando Robinson.