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USA Today via Reuters

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USA Today via Reuters

The Miami Heat recently faced a significant setback to their roster as they lost Dru Smith to a knee injury. Adding to the challenge, Duncan Robinson is already on a day-to-day basis; and star player Bam Adebayo is sidelined. The string of injuries couldn’t have come at a more complicated time for one of East’s top-seed. However, the Heat’s head coach, Erik Spoelstra, believes there’s a connection between the recent injury and the venue.

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With 15 years of coaching experience in the NBA, the Heat coach’s tenure alone suggests that, controversial or not, he wouldn’t fabricate information. Asserting his authority, Erik Spoelstra took a swipe at Cleveland’s hardwood.

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Erik Spoelstra thinks Cavs’ court is a safety hazard

Miami Heat’s backup guard for Kyle Lowry, Dru Smith, will miss the rest of the season due to an injury suffered while playing against the Cleveland Cavaliers. In the first half of the game, Smith incurred a third-degree knee sprain while contesting a shot near the bench. Coach Erik Spoelstra, in the aftermath of the match, attributed the loss of their promising youngster to what he deems a “hazard” construction of the Cavs’ court.

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The Cleveland Cavaliers and the Cleveland Monsters (American Hockey League) share a common home-court venture. This results in an NBA court design that is one of its own in the global league; showcasing a ledge just beyond the sideline. Even though the design is commonly observed in college basketball, NBA players can often forget to anticipate the particular aspect of the hardwood.

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Heat fans anticipate a reunion

As the Heat’s vulnerable backcourt suffers another setback, the situation has got fans coming up with a warm solution. With Tyler Herro and Josh Richardson being shoot-first players, the injury of Dru Smith has left a playmaking void.

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In return, fans are immediately advocating for a reunion with Goran Dragic; a veteran guard who spent 7 seasons with Miami. Furthermore, the suggestion of guard R.J. Hampton has also gained traction to take on the opportunity to shine.

Miami, as a city, has a history of loving its veterans. With the most recent example being Udonis Haslem, the franchise has a knack for maintaining its veterans within the organization. Given that a return for Dragic is about to happen, it might only happen in Miami.

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Written by

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Saahil Dhillan

1,046 Articles

Saahil Dhillan is an NBA Writer at EssentiallySports who discovered his basketball passion through the dynamic between Miami's LeBron James and Dwyane Wade. Years later, Kobe Bryant reignited his love, transforming him into an extensive contributor who savors the matches, covers games live, analyzes post-game pressers, and reports on injuries. With his stories, he aims at making readers feel the intense drama unfolding on the court every day. His inclination towards the sporting world fits him right into our News Center. Beyond the scoreboard, Saahil remains on the lookout for quant frames, all while navigating the humorous tantrums of his dogs and their four-legged co-stars.

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Saumya Khanduja

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