Winderman’s view: Caleb Martin absence leaves rotation in flux, plus Heat-Celtics thoughts

Observations and other notes of interest from Wednesday night’s 106-98 victory over the Boston Celtics: — Even with the recent rotation changes, it remains to be seen who ultimately will be the odd man out of the preferred nine.

— And that decision won’t come until Caleb Martin returns from his calf bruise.

— Ruled out again Wednesday.

— Meaning the Heat still have not had all 15 players on their standard roster available for a game this season.

— With Martin, who previously has missed time due to Achilles and knee issues, Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said it was a matter of protecting the versatile forward from himself.

— “He was kicked in the calf,” Spoelstra said, that it wasn’t the result of previous issues.

— “We literally are protecting him from himself,” Spoelstra said. “He’s demanding to get back to play out there, and we just want to make sure that when he does come back, that it’s not just for one game and it’s sore.”

— The Heat next play Saturday in Chicago.

— “So I think these extra couple of days will really help him,” Spoelstra said.

— Spoelstra went in supportive of those who have been marginalized in the latest rotation overhaul.

— “We feel great about all of our depth, and you can make that exact same statement for everybody that’s coming in off the bench,” he said.

— He added, “The guys that didn’t play, we still think have a great impact for us.”

— Among those who have worked their way back in has been Gabe Vincent.

— “Gabe has been really helpful as a two-way guy, to be able to defend multiple positions, but also, offensively, another ballhandler to help us get organized and help facilitate,” Spoelstra said. “He’s been somebody that’s helped out offensive flow throughout the course of the year.”

— The Max Strus Experience continued for the Heat, again starting alongside Bam Adebayo, Jimmy Butler, Kyle Lowry and P.J. Tucker.

— With the start, Butler tied Jason Williams for 24th on the Heat all-time list.

— The Heat scored on their first two possessions and Celtics coach Ime Udoka called time 68 seconds into the game.

— Tyler Herro again played as Heat sixth man.

— With Dewayne Dedmon again second off the bench.

— Then Vincent.

— And then Duncan Robinson as ninth man.

— But would that have been Caleb Martin instead?

— Robinson had two fouls in his first two minutes.

— Three early fouls on Dewayne Dedmon, in his opening five minutes, also complicated matters.

— Herro’s 10th point moved him past Jamal Mashburn for 23rd on the Heat all-time list.

— Tucker’s second defensive rebound was the 3,200th of his career.

— Strus’ second defensive rebound was the 200th of his career.

— Butler’s fifth free throw was the 3,700th of his career.

— Butler’s second defensive rebound moved him past Kevin Willis for 25th on the Heat all-time list.

— Butler’s eighth basket moved him past Steve Smith for 22nd on the Heat all-time list.

— Adebayo’s third free throw tied Eddie Jones for 10th on the Heat all-time list.

— Adebayo’s 10th rebound moved him past Chris Bosh for seventh on the Heat all-time list.

— Spoelstra downplayed the importance of Wednesday night, when asked if it had the feel of a pre-playoff showdown.

— “Every game is just an opportunity to get better,” he said. “You want to compete. You want to compete against other great teams. And we’re trying to get to a higher level. But any kind of dramatic statement like that, that might be overstated.”

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