Markieff Morris is not one to lack for confidence. So even before starting power forward P.J. Tucker went down with the calf strain that could jeopardize his availability for the start of the NBA playoffs, Morris saw a logical place for himself in the Miami Heat postseason rotation.
“I know I will play in the playoffs,” Morris said ahead of Friday night’s game against the Atlanta Hawks at FTX Arena, the Heat’s regular-season home finale.
Whether Tucker will be available for the Heat’s April 17 playoff opener remains uncertain. Otherwise, the Heat’s Plan B options in the void of Tucker logically either would be Morris or Caleb Martin.
Morris said his approach is to get ready now so he will be ready for his postseason moment.
“Yeah, man. I mean my game speaks for itself,” the 11th-year veteran told the Sun Sentinel. “Preparing for the playoffs, I need these last two games, honestly, anyway. So it’s like kind of a gift and curse with Tuck going down.
“But for me, I need to get these last two games under my belt and I’ll just go into the playoffs with some momentum.”
Morris, who is dealing with a strained hip flexor that kept him out of Tuesday night’s victory over the visiting Charlotte Hornets, started in Sunday night’s road victory over the Toronto Raptors when Tucker ostensibly was given the night off for rest.
But when it comes to the postseason, coach Erik Spoelstra said elements of his rotation could be matchup based. And if smallball is the opposition approach, that could favor Martin.
Morris appreciates that after missing 58 games due to the whiplash that resulted from his Nov. 8 run-in with Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, the opportunities to state his case this season have been limited.
“It is what it is,” said Morris, who is completing a one-year contract at the veteran minimum and will return to free agency on July 1. “You know, I missed 50-something games. Whatever’s thrown my way now I can handle.”
Two seasons ago, Morris was part of the playoff rotation for the Los Angeles Lakers on their way to their 2020 championship, including against the Heat in those NBA Finals. This will be his sixth visit to the playoffs, with 49 postseason appearances with three teams (Lakers, Washington Wizards and Oklahoma City Thunder). Martin, by contrast, has yet to appear in the playoffs in his three seasons, the previous two with the Charlotte Hornets. Martin also will enter free agency this summer.
“Check my track record. Check my track record,” Morris said of his ability to contribute in the playoffs. “I don’t have to speak on that. That’s all on the record. I don’t have to say nothing about that.”
The irony is that the call now could be to fill in for Tucker, with the two close since the starts of their NBA careers with the Phoenix Suns.
“We grew together,” Tucker said. “It was me getting back in the league, him initially getting in the league. He’s one of my closest brothers through time when we played in Phoenix ‘til now. So we were definitely excited to get back together.
“But it’s so good to get back on the court and get our work back together, especially getting ready for the playoffs. Because we’re going to need him and what he brings to the team.”
Tucker said he has faith that Morris will be there when needed, as much, if not more, as a person than a player.
“We’re not NBA guys, that’s my brother. It’s different,” Tucker said. “Like we talk all the time, current events, talk about each other’s kids. So it’s like family. It’s different.”
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