With Playoffs on the Line, Miami Heat Trusting Fewer

It is one of the most common refrains from Erik Spoelstra, in this season and many before.

"Our depth is a strength."

Apparently, not at the moment.

Spoelstra tightened his rotation more in Monday's home win against Philadelphia than he has at any other point this season. He had nearly his full complement of players available, with the exception of guard Norman Powell, missing another game with an illness. And yet, he played four of his starters at least 36 minutes, including 42 apiece for Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo -- and played only six players more than 13 minutes.

The other three -- Kel'el Ware, Simone Fontecchio and Dru Smith -- got just 13, six and 3, respectively. Kasparas Jakucionis and Myron Gardner, who have gotten time recently, were healthy scratches.

For a night, the strategy worked, as Herro and Adebayo were critical in closing out a game that looked like it was getting away. Herro not only made big threes, but also some important defensive plays. He led the Heat with 30, as Adebayo added 23 and Pelle Larsson had 20.

Adebayo was a plus-27, and Ware was a minus-13, which is one reason for sure that Spoelstra didn't want to take him off the floor. They only played briefly together, and Spoelstra has not trusted Nikola Jovic or Keshad Johnson with significant backup frontcourt minutes.