Preview: Heat @ Spurs in 4th preseason game

Continuing their quest to find a winning formula with ten new players, Miami faces the San Antonio Spurs, who have won three of their four preseason games.

• When: Friday, October 14 @ 8:30pm EST
• Where: AT&T Center, San Antonio, Texas
• Coverage: TV: Fox Sports Sun Radio: 790-AM, 106.3-FM, 710-AM

Projected starting lineups:

Heat

• PG: Goran Dragic
• SG: Dion Waiters
• SF: Justise Winslow
• PF: Derrick Williams
• C: Hassan Whiteside

Spurs

• PG: Tony Parker
• SG: Danny Green
• SF: Kawhi Leonard
• PF: Kyle Anderson
• C: Pau Gasol

Out

Heat: Chris Bosh, Josh Richardson, Josh McRoberts, Luke Babbitt, Willie Reed

Spurs: LaMarcus Aldridge

So far the tandem of Whiteside and Dragic have performed as advertised, leading the team to a 2-1 record and overall third-place in the preseason NBA rankings. Whiteside is first in blocks, first in field goal percentage, second in rebounds, and sixth in scoring, despite playing less minutes than the other top scorers. Dragic ranks fourth in assists per game.

They will be facing the fourth-ranked team in the Spurs, in what promises to be a closely contested game. The Heat are second in points per game and field-goal percentage, while the Spurs are the top defensive team during preseason. Can the Heat crack the 100-point mark versus the Spurs? The Heat’s offense will be put to the test tonight.

Aldridge won’t suit up against the Heat, while coach Erik Spoelstra probably will divide the minutes among the rotation players between tonight’s and tomorrow’s contest in Louisville versus the Timberwolves.

After tomorrow’s fifth preseason game, look for increased clarity on who will be the starters and the rotation players. Unfortunately only three games remain to decide on who makes the opening day roster in Miami.