Heat’s Erik Spoelstra downplays starting Norris Cole over Mario Chalmers

Coach Erik Spoelstra made a surprising lineup tweak for the Miami Heat’s preseason contest against the Orlando Magic on Tuesday, starting Norris Cole over Mario Chalmers at point guard.

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However, this doesn’t appear to be a permanent decision. Spoelstra clarified after the game that he’s using preseason as a means to experiment with rotation decisions.

From the South Florida Sun Sentinel:

"“I’m looking at a lot of different things,” Spoelstra said of starting Cole. “I wouldn’t look too much into that. But he’s had a good week. I wanted to look into that combination. I wouldn’t look too much into it because ‘Rio is a big, big piece of what we’re trying to do.”"

Cole and Chalmers also spoke on the matter, echoing similar sentiments as their coach.

"Cole did not overstate the start.“He said he was going to mix it up, different lineups and he did,” he said. “I was ready.”Said Chalmers, “He just wanted to do something different with the starting lineup. I’ve just got to be ready for anything.”"

Chalmers is still the favorite to begin the season as Miami’s top point guard, but this decision might just indicate that the race for the starting point guard job is closer than many believed it to be.

Chalmers averaged 9.8 points and 4.9 assists per game this past season. Cole averaged 6.4 points and 3.0 assists.

Miami lost to Orlando 108-101 in overtime on Tuesday.

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