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Heat's Spoelstra Benches Kel'el Ware in Boston, Demands Renewed Consistency

Spoelstra cast the decision as a matchup call meant to push the 21-year-old to stack good days again.

Overview

  • Ware logged nine minutes—all in the first half—in the 119-114 loss at Boston and did not appear after halftime.
  • Spoelstra said Ware is “stacking days in the wrong direction” and urged a return to the level he showed seven or eight weeks ago.
  • The coach also cited a difficult matchup in Boston’s coverages as part of the decision and told Ware to stay ready for opportunities.
  • His role has shrunk of late after a strong start, with no game above 17 minutes in the last five, despite season averages of roughly 11.9 points and 10.1 rebounds in 24.5 minutes.
  • Bam Adebayo called for daily discipline and consistency as the Heat, missing Davion Mitchell and Jaime Jaquez Jr., were outrebounded 51-40 and let a 19-point lead slip.