The Heat have typically been best when its rotation could settle into a rhythm.

The prime example?

The 2012-13 team that won 66 games.

Sure, Hall of Fame talent helped. OK, a lot. But so did certainty. The players knew who was starting -- Chris Bosh, Udonis Haslem, LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Mario Chalmers -- and they also knew the first, and likely only, four off the bench. Norris Cole and Ray Allen could check into the backcourt, and Shane Battier and Chris Andersen into the frontcourt. James or Wade would stay on the floor to play with that four, usually for three minutes, and then other would sit so the other star could anchor for another three minutes.

This roster is different, maybe even a little deeper, though it may be more dangerous to go with as many as four subs at a time, without a James around to cover their weaknesses.

Five subs at a time?

Erik Spoelstra has never embraced the Hubie Brown philosophy, of a completely fresh five.

So, in the first game of the preseason, a 90-77 loss to Charlotte, Spoelstra did one thing that I expect him to try during the regular season, and one that he'll probably avoid.

The first was to leave Goran Dragic in the game after Wade and Chris Bosh subbed out. He did it in the first and third quarters, and it makes sense not only because Dragic has a history with two of the current top subs (Amare Stoudemire, Gerald Green) but also because the second unit is more prone to play fast than the first group. That also allows Mario Chalmers, when he ultimately replaces Dragic, to get more minutes with a rested Bosh and Wade, two players with whom he has more history.

The second tactic was a little riskier, and probably just a preseason thing. In both halves, Spoelstra eventually ran out five reserves. Overall, the unit of Stoudemire-Josh McRoberts-Justise Winslow-Green-Chalmers was outscored 26-22 in nearly 13 total minutes, against the shorthanded Hornets. While this would figure to be one of the better offensive second units in the NBA, it will be challenged defensively, even if Winslow is exceptional from the start. It will improve somewhat if Chris Andersen or maybe even Haslem (once Hassan Whiteside's availability returns him to a reserve role) is in Stoudemire's place, or Josh Richardson gets some of Green's minutes. Still, it seems unlikely that we'll see the Preseason Game 1 backup five all playing together when the games count. Not unless the Heat is trailing and needs instant scoring.

Tonight against the Magic in Louisville?

There's nothing to lose.

So it wouldn't be surprising for Spoelstra to take one more look at that lineup, before trying some other combinations.