Erik Spoelstra is unsure of the starting lineup. Here’s what it should be

While it is The Miami Heat went winless in the preseasonthe team is looking to make some regular-season noise in Wednesday’s opener against the Orlando Magic. As Heat’s offense will be “tricky,” as he said Nikola Jovicthe team will need a productive starting lineup, whose head coach Erik Spoelstra reveals whether he came up with the set or not.

Speaking after practice on Monday, Spoelstra would say yes “I’m still deciding” and when it happens, it is not 100 percent that it will be the same in the second game.

“I’m still deciding. We’ll figure it out. Whatever the starting lineup is for game one, it might not be for game two. We’ve got time,” Spoelstra said, via a video by user “HeatCulture13” on X, formerly Twitter.

Coach Spo talks about the Bam and Ware lineup, also not committed to the starting lineup

“I’m still deciding, we’ll work it out. Whatever the starting line-up is for game one, it might not be for game two.”

He also says that “depth” is one of this team’s best assets

(Via @MiamiHEAT)… pic.twitter.com/CzE0pSg1Tt

— Heat Culture (@HeatCulture13) October 20, 2025

One of the many debates surrounding Miami fans is who will start together Bam Adebayo in the front field between Kel’el Ware and Nikola Jović. The latter started the preseason with Adebayo, but an injury to Spoelstra put Ware as the starter, where he was for most of the second half of last year.

“I think they’re good. Yeah, now they’ve had time since training camp, and those minutes last year to play each other,” Spoelstra said of Ware and Adebayo. “They’re comfortable with that. So there’s some good things we can build on. Of course, we just don’t want them, like, taking up the same space, you know, that doesn’t do us any good. But they’re aware of that and they’ve been working on it.”

What the Heat’s starting lineup should look like

With Comfort level in the new offense being a huge point of emphasis, there’s a different answer to what the starting lineup should look like in Game 1 versus Game 82. Since the Heat’s emphasis is faster pace, which they’ve ranked toward the bottom of the league the last few seasons, it should be Jovic along with Adebayo.

Jovic gives Miami a playmaker as a forward and can also stretch the floor, not to mention he continues to improve at 22 years old. If the team tries to play fast to begin with, they will get better results with pace than Jovic in the lineup, but overall for most of the season? The answer changes.

Ware and Adebayo were a fun frontcourt to watch last season, as the rookie impressed in not only giving the Heat an athletic and versatile seven-foot center, but also getting Adebayo back to strength. As the season progresses, don’t be surprised if Ware starts more often.

The starting line-up includes newcomer Norman Powell, Andrew Wiggins, Adebayo and Tyler Herro. But Herro will miss the start of the season, making the point guard spot between Drew Smith and Davion Mitchell a question.

It should be the latter in Mitchell who gave Miami everything they needed in terms of defensive stature while being able to be a playmaker and shoot the three. It remains to be seen who will be in the starting lineup, but fans will know before Wednesday’s opener against the Magic.