Jovic provided 21 points (8-12 FG, 4-7 3Pt, 1-1 FT), eight rebounds, five assists, one block and one steal across 32 minutes during Saturday's 119-98 victory over Portland.
The third-year pro filled in the stat sheet while leading the Heat's bench in points. He also finished as the club's second-leading scorer behind Tyler Herro (32 points). Jovic has seen a significant uptick in playing time of late, and he has turned things around after an underwhelming start to the season. Over his last 10 outings, the 21-year-old has averaged 12.7 points, 4.6 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 0.9 steals across 26.9 minutes per game.
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Heat's Nikola Jovic: Logs team-high 20 points from bench
Rotowire
Jovic racked up 20 points (8-17 FG, 2-8 3Pt, 2-3 FT), six rebounds, four assists and one steal over 34 minutes during Tuesday's 114-98 victory over the Warriors.
Jovic's recent bump in minutes can be attributed to Jimmy Butler's (suspension) absence, and the former's production should give the Heat confidence that they will be able to move on without Butler if he's traded. Although Haywood Highsmith and Jaime Jaquez have also pitched ineffectively during the star's absence, Miami will likely tinker often with the rotation, resulting in more first-unit minutes for Jovic.
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Heat's Nikola Jovic: Back to bench against Kings
Rotowire
Jovic is not in the starting lineup for Monday's game against the Kings.
After scoring 17 points in Saturday's start against the Jazz, Jovic will revert to his usual role off the bench Monday and cede his spot in Miami's first unit to Jaime Jaquez. Over 14 contests as a reserve this season, Jovic is averaging 9.3 points, 3.7 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.4 threes in 23.9 minutes, which dampens his streaming appeal a bit against the Kings.
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Heat's Nikola Jovic: Enters starting lineup
Rotowire
Jovic will start Saturday's game against the Jazz.
With Jimmy Butler beginning his seven-game suspension, Terry Rozier and Jovic will enter the starting lineup, shifting Duncan Robinson to the second unit. Jovic has played well in three straight games and is someone for fantasy managers to watch closely -- he averaged 11.3 points, 5.7 assists, 5.3 rebounds and 1.7 three-pointers in that span.
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Heat's Nikola Jovic: Ties season high with 18 points
Rotowire
Jovic (ankle) provided 18 points (5-9 FG, 3-5 3Pt, 5-5 FT), seven rebounds and six assists across 31 minutes during Sunday's 104-100 victory over the Rockets.
Jovic was able to play through an ankle injury to match a season high with both his 18 points and seven rebounds Sunday, stepping up off the bench for the Heat in the absence of All-Star forward Jimmy Butler (illness). Over his last seven games, Jovic is averaging 10.4 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 0.7 steals and 1.7 threes in 24.2 minutes. The 21-year-old big man would be worth a look in deep fantasy leagues as a decent streaming option if Butler remains sidelined for Wednesday's clash with the Pelicans.
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Heat's Nikola Jovic: Available Sunday
Rotowire
Jovic (ankle) will play during Sunday's game against the Rockets, Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.
Jovic suffered a left ankle sprain during Thursday's game against the Magic, but he will be able to play through it Sunday. Over his last five appearances, Jovic is averaging 8.2 points, 2.4 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 22.4 minutes per contest.
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Heat's Nikola Jovic: Expected to suit up Sunday
Rotowire
Jovic (ankle) is listed as probable for Sunday's game against the Rockets.
Jovic sustained the left ankle sprain during Thursday's loss to the Magic, though he was able to play in Saturday's loss to Atlanta. The 21-year-old has appeared in five consecutive outings for the Heat (one start), during which he has averaged 8.2 points, 2.4 rebounds and 2.0 assists across 22.4 minutes per contest.
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Heat's Nikola Jovic: Good to go against Atlanta
Rotowire
Jovic (ankle) is available for Saturday's game versus the Hawks.
Jovic has been upgraded from questionable to available Saturday despite dealing with a left ankle sprain. The 21-year-old big man is averaging 8.1 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 19.5 minutes across his last 10 appearances.
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Heat's Nikola Jovic: Questionable to play Saturday
Rotowire
Jovic (ankle) is listed as questionable for Saturday's game against the Hawks.
Jovic entered Thursday's game against the Magic on the injury report due to a left ankle sprain. He was able to play through the issue across the first three quarters of the game, but he aggravated the injury in the fourth frame and is now in danger of missing his 10th game of the regular season. Jovic's absence Saturday, paired with Jimmy Butler (conditioning) and Josh Richardson (heel) both being ruled out, would mean more playing time for Jaime Jaquez, Haywood Highsmith, Pelle Larsson and Alec Burks.
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Heat's Nikola Jovic: Departs with ankle sprain
Rotowire
Jovic exited in the fourth quarter of Thursday's 89-88 win over the Magic with a left ankle sprain and didn't return, Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports. He ended the night with eight points (3-8 FG, 2-4 3Pt), five assists, four rebounds and three steals over 24 minutes.
Prior to the game, Jovic appeared on the Heat's injury report with a left ankle sprain, so he seemingly suffered an aggravation of the injury. He left the game after he appeared to land awkwardly on his left leg with just over 10 minutes remaining. He'll be considered questionable for Saturday's game against the Hawks until the team provides an update on his status.
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Heat's Nikola Jovic: Back to bench role Monday
Rotowire
Jovic is not in the starting lineup for Monday's game against the Nets, Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald reports.
Jovic got the start in the 121-114 loss to the Magic, tallying four points and a rebound across 19 minutes. He's averaging 8.3 points, 3.3 rebounds and 0.9 assists per game when coming off the bench this season.
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Heat's Nikola Jovic: Starting Saturday
Rotowire
Jovic is in the starting lineup for Saturday's game against the Magic.
Jovic will move to the starting lineup since Miami will be without Jimmy Butler (illness). Jovic, who will be making his first start since Nov. 8, will be in the first unit alongside Dru Smith, Duncan Robinson, Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo. Jovic is averaging 7.9 points, 3.9 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game as a starter this season.
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Heat's Nikola Jovic: Goes through practice Thursday
Rotowire
Jovic (ankle) participated in Thursday's practice, Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald reports.
Jovic missed Miami's previous contest due to a left ankle sprain. However, Jovic's return to practice is a good sign of his availability for Friday's matchup with Oklahoma City.
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Heat's Nikola Jovic: Suffers ankle injury
Rotowire
Jovic sprained his left ankle during Saturday's practice, Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.
Jovic had completely fallen out of Miami's rotation before logging 24 minutes in the team's most recent outing. However, Jovic's ankle injury now puts his status for Monday's matchup with Detroit in doubt.
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Heat's Nikola Jovic: Efficient off bench Thursday
Rotowire
Jovic accumulated 14 points (4-5 FG, 2-2 3Pt, 4-7 FT), four rebounds, one assist, one block and one steal across 24 minutes during Thursday's 114-104 victory over Toronto.
Jovic lost his starting role in the frontcourt to Haywood Highsmith and hasn't started a game since Nov. 8. However, Jovic made his presence felt in this one and came just one point shy of tying his season-high scoring output in his return from an eight-game absence due to both injuries and DNP-CD tags. A strong showing like Thursday's is the best way to show he can remain valuable in Erik Spoelstra's rotation, but Jovic isn't going to have a lot of fantasy upside as a bench option with an inconsistent role.
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Heat's Nikola Jovic: Upgraded to questionable
Rotowire
Jovic (ankle) has been upgraded to questionable for Wednesday's game against the Lakers.
Jovic missed the past two games for Miami but has a shot at returning Wednesday. However, he hasn't been a consistent part of the rotation in recent outings.
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Heat's Nikola Jovic: Out again Wednesday
Rotowire
Jovic (ankle) has been ruled out for Wednesday's game against the Lakers, Tim Reynolds of Associated Press reports.
Jovic will miss a third straight game due to a left ankle sprain. His next chance to suit up will come Saturday versus Phoenix, but he'd fallen out of the rotation before his absence.
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Heat's Nikola Jovic: Out again Monday
Rotowire
Jovic (ankle) won't play Monday against the Celtics.
Jovic will be sidelined for a second straight game, but this won't impact many fantasy leagues. After starting the first eight games of the season, Jovic fell out of the rotation at the end of November.
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Heat's Nikola Jovic: Will not play Sunday
Rotowire
Jovic has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Raptors due to a left ankle sprain, Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.
After seeing the court in the first 14 games of the season, Jovic was out of the rotation in each of the last three games in coach's decisions. Despite the lack of recent playing time, the young forward apparently sustained an ankle injury at some point recently and will now be unavailable Sunday for the first time all season. Sunday's game marks the front end of a back-to-back set for the Heat, who play again Monday in Boston.
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Heat's Nikola Jovic: Expected to play with mask
Rotowire
The Heat are expecting a protective mask to arrive in time to allow Jovic (nose) to play in Friday's game versus the Pacers, Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.
Jovic had to leave Tuesday's game versus the Pistons early due to a broken nose. However, it appears that Miami expects the 21-year-old big man to be able to suit up against Indiana.
