The Miami Heat need every ounce of help that they can get heading into their bid for an NBA Playoffs spot. They have a new-look starting unit and their energy guys off the bench have now started to come into place. There is also one big riser in their ranks and Coach Erik Spoelstra has been giving him more reps.
Pelle Larsson has been the other forward alongside Bam Adebayo in the Heat's rotation. Fans and casual watchers did not think much of him but his latest outings have been the difference-maker for the once-slumping squad.
Coach Erik Spoelstra noted how this development in the Heat system has been beneficial for their push for an NBA Playoffs spot, via Barry Jackson of The Miami Herald.
"He's really an interesting young guy. Pelle is just an ignitable player. He makes things happen – the steals, the deflections, the hard plays. Those are momentum-shifting plays that he has a knack for," he said.
In their latest win against the Philadelphia 76ers, Larsson was a steady presence for the Heat's starting unit. In 30 minutes of action, he managed to score 14 points and dropped four assists. This prompted Spoelstra to name him as their elite role player.
The hustle plays that Coach Spoelstra mentioned? It showed through his six rebounds. This body of work starts whenever the Heat doesn't have games. Larsson is apparently a gymrat and the Heat head honcho noticed it.
"He spends so much time in the gym that the rest of his game is getting better - the playmaking, shooting, the facilitating," the Heat head honcho declared.
Larsson has played 50 games for the Heat already. He will surely be a staple in the rotation if he keeps his off-court habits. There might also be a big possibility that he will pop off if the squad makes the NBA Playoffs.
Related: Erik Spoelstra Names Heat's Biggest Weapon During Playoff Push
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This story was originally published March 31, 2025 at 7:06 AM.