It is crunch time in Miami. With just five games remaining in the season, the Heat are desperately clinging to the No. 8 seed in the Eastern Conference. They can use Derrick Jones Jr.
Their playoff hopes might have taken a hit on Monday night. Jones was replaced late in the second quarter of the team's game against the Boston Celtics. According to the team, Jones suffered a right knee injury. He did not return in the second half.
Via Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel:
James Johnson opens second half in place of Jones. https://t.co/MssQOKl2Ec
— Ira Winderman (@IraHeatBeat) April 2, 2019
As Winderman notes, regular starter James Johnson replaced Jones for the second half. The Heat went on to lose, 110-105, falling just short. The team announced that Jones will be reevaluated in Miami upon the team's return home:
https://twitter.com/MiamiHEAT/status/1112881189235421186
Prior to his removal, Jones tallied just two rebounds and one point in 17 minutes on the floor. Still, he is a valuable semi-regular player for Miami. Losing the 22-year-old could make an impact on the Heat's playoff chances. This season, he has averaged 7.2 points, 4.1 rebounds and 0.6 assists while shooting 49.2%.
Every win counts for Miami this time of year. With Monday's loss, its lead over the Orlando Magic for the eighth seed in the East remained at only half a game. Orlando lost at Toronto. Entering Monday, ESPN's BPI Playoff Odds gave the team a 46.4% chance of making the postseason, significantly lower than the Magic (76.0%).
The 38-39 Heat have a rematch with the 46-32 Celtics in Miami on Wednesday.
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