Winderman’s view: Worst loss of the season? Against the remnants of the Grizzlies, yet

MIAMI – Observations and other notes of interest from Wednesday night’s 105-96 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies:

– The Terry Rozier acquisition was an interesting move.

– But also an ancillary move.

– It still does not address getting Jimmy Butler, Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo on the same page.

– Unless those three play effectively and efficiently, this doesn’t go anywhere.

– So say all you want about the Heat having four 20-point scorers.

– It still doesn’t mean they can score.

– Because they can’t.

– This time it was 42 points at halftime.

– Forty. Two.

– 4. 2.

– Even more than Rozier, what this team needs is an infusion of Duncan Robinson.

– Because they need their threes.

– And they need them now.

– Even with Caleb Martin coming around late.

– Attempting to keep pace with the Celtics on Thursday night could be fascinating.

– Unless Martin can conjure playoff Caleb Martin.

– The Heat moved to their 24th starting lineup in their 44th game, this time opening with Adebayo, Haywood Highsmith, Butler, Herro and Josh Richardson.

– The approach appears to be Richardson as placeholder until Rozier is up to speed.

– And the move to Highsmith appeared inevitable among the realization the Heat need to win with defense.

– So, with that, Nikola Jovic was out of the mix after 10 consecutive starts.

– It could well lead to playing time for Jovic in the G League in the near term.

– The Heat remained without Jaime Jaquez Jr. for a fifth consecutive game with a groin strain.

– And yet they miss him.

– A lot.

– To say the Grizzlies were shorthanded would be an understatement.

– Out for Memphis were Steven Adams, (knee), Santi Aldama, (knee), Desmond Bane, (ankle), Brandon Clarke (Achilles), Luke Kennard (thigh), Jake LaRavia, (ankle), Ja Morant, (shoulder), Derrick Rose, (hamstring) and Marcus Smart (finger).

– That had the Grizzlies opening with Vince Williams Jr., David Roddy, Jaren Jackson Jr., Jacob Gilyard and John Konchar.

– The Grizzlies’ 25th lineup of the season.

– Rozier and Kevin Love entered as the Heat’s first substitution.

– With Martin and Duncan Robinson entering together in the next substitution.

– Eventually, Thomas Bryant made it 10 deep, playing ahead of Jovic.

– Love then was lost for the second half due to illness.

– Heat coach Erik Spoelstra acknowledged awareness of outside expectations of better offense.

– “Everybody wants our offense to function at a much more explosive level,” he said.

– Spoelstra said for now he had greater concerns.

– “I don’t care,” he said. “It’s about winning right now.”