The Miami Heat will kick off the 2024-25 NBA season Wednesday night against the Orlando Magic at Kaseya Center as they look to keep up the good preseason spirit.

Coach Erik Spoelstra has committed to a starting lineup of Terry Rozier, Tyler Herro, Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo that outscored its four preseason opponents by a combined 18 points.

But as Butler said, “Now it’s starting to get real.”

In addition to the starters, Spoelstra still has some decisions to make in the rest of the rotation. Internally, the Heat continue to point to its depth and continuity as reasons for optimism. They believe almost everyone on the roster, including two-way forwards, can contribute minutes.

This means Spoelstra has 17 players (14 on standard contracts, three on two-player contracts) to choose from if he wants to scale back his rotation.

One of the biggest remaining questions is how Spoelstra will handle the backup point guard position. He used both Alec Burks and Dru Smith as Rozier’s backups in the preseason, and the option remains to spread out Rozier and Herro.

Expect Smith to get minutes on opening night. Despite questions from fans, Spoelstra remains highly regarded by the 26-year-old guard and appreciates his no-nonsense approach, table setting and commitment in defense.

So where does that leave the rest of the rotation?

Duncan Robinson, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Haywood Highsmith and Kevin Love appear locked into the second unit for now. Thomas Bryant and Burks could show up if someone ahead of them gets into big trouble.

Others, like Kel’el Ware, Pelle Larsson and Josh Richardson, appear to be on the outside looking in. Ditto for two-way men Keshad Johnson and Josh Christopher.

PG: Rozier / Smith* / Burks
SG: Herro/Robinson
SF: Butler/Jaquez
PF: Jovic/Highsmith
C: Adebayo / Love / Bryant

An update on Richardson: His surgically repaired shoulder has been cleared for contact, but he suffered a heel injury in practice this week that will likely sideline him on opening night.

The Heat’s opponent, the Magic, are the defending Southeast Division champions. Last season they ranked third in defensive rating, but in the bottom ten in offensive rating. They added Kentaious Caldwell-Pope over the summer, a reliable 3-point shooter who should help spread the floor, and Orlando expects breakout seasons from Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner.

The Heat beat the Magic 3-1 last season.