NBA Notes: Heat, Tyler Herro, Lakers, Jake LaRavia, Raptors

Heat

Guard Tyler Herro has been upgraded from questionable to available and is expected to return Tuesday against the Timberwolves, per Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald.

It will be Herro’s first appearance since December 9. He has missed 13 of the past 14 games with a right big toe contusion and has played just six times all season after also missing the opening 17 games while recovering from left ankle surgery.

When available, Herro has been productive, averaging 23.2 points while shooting better than 50 percent overall and 40 percent from three. He is expected to reclaim a starting role, though it’s worth noting Miami has played well recently with a lineup featuring Bam Adebayo, Kel’el Ware, Norman Powell, Davion Mitchell, and Andrew Wiggins, which owns a strong net rating over the past four games.

Minnesota, meanwhile, may be shorthanded. Anthony Edwards is questionable with right foot injury maintenance.

Lakers

December was uneven for Los Angeles, which went 5-7 and repeatedly frustrated head coach JJ Redick, according to Dan Woike of The Athletic. The issues have shown up most on the defensive end, but Redick has also pointed to lapses in focus and execution, particularly after timeouts.

“You can’t execute the big things if you don’t execute the small things,” LeBron James said.

One consistent bright spot has been Jake LaRavia, who followed up another strong performance Sunday with 26 points against Memphis. Redick praised LaRavia’s defensive commitment and effort level, calling him one of the team’s most reliable players on that end of the floor.

Raptors

Toronto waived center Mo Bamba just over a week after signing him, Blake Murphy of Sportsnet reported. Bamba’s deal was non-guaranteed, allowing the Raptors to avoid paying his full salary ahead of the league’s guarantee date.

Bamba, who had been productive in the G League, saw limited action during his brief stint with Toronto as the club awaited the return of Jakob Poeltl, who continues to progress in his recovery from a back injury.

With teams now allowed to sign standard 10-day contracts, Toronto could revisit Bamba once he clears waivers if additional frontcourt depth is needed. He joins Tony Bradley as the second veteran center waived this week on a non-guaranteed deal.