Miami Heat's Kyle Lowry Hopes To Return To Starting Lineup After Benching

Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said Jaime Jaquez's absence played role in Kyle Lowry playing as a reserve

Miami Heat guard Kyle Lowry was a late scratch from the starting lineup in Friday's loss to the Atlanta Hawks. 

Lowry accepted the decision but is hoping it's just a one-time thing. He finished with just two points on 1 of 4 shooting and four assists. 

"[Coach Erik Spoelstra] wanted to look at something different," Lowry said. "He wanted to have me come off the bench. Hopefully, it was only a one-game thing for me and I get back in the starting lineup."

Spoelstra said the decision was based on available personnel. The Heat are playing without injured rookie forward Jaime Jaquez, who usually energizes the second unit. Spoelstra said he wanted Lowry to assume that role to provide balance. 

It seems it had nothing to do with Lowry's recent struggles. He's scored a combined eight points in the last three games. 

"Without Jaime out, there are some moving part with this," Spoelstra said. "I'm not going to be just experimenting the second half [of the season].This is about winning right now. But combinations and lineups do matter and having Kyle anchor that second unit while Jaime is out I think is important." 

The Heat return to action Sunday at the Orlando Magic. 

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Shandel Richardson covers the Miami Heat for Inside The Heat, a Fan Nation channel for Sports Illustrated. He has covered the NBA since 2010.

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