Still beaten at home in a match yet takeable, the Heat confirms its big difficulties of the moment. Maybe there’s something wrong with South Beach…
For the home score box, it’s here.
As much as we might put some defeats at the start of the season on the account of injuries, it will be difficult to justify the last performances of Erik Spoelstra’s men. So let’s recap the Floridians’ week: 4 games, 3 losses. Already, it’s not famous, but the worst is to see the head of the opponents. Memphis is a real good team but, without Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr. or Desmond Bane, they are still less scary. Detroit without Cade Cunningham is normally a home gift. Finally, the Spurs who have won only one game in a month, it is close to malpractice. The funny thing is that Miami won the only “difficult” game on paper of the week: once morest the Clippers on Thursday night.
Would the Heat look down on their “takenable” opponents? It’s not like the franchise can afford it given the standings. (tenth in the East, 12 wins, 15 losses) The evils of the Heat, they are multiple and we will try to summarize some of them briefly. First, the defense is very far from what it still offered last year. In the same way, the bench which was a trademark (the best second unit in the country) now appears as an Achilles heel (29th!). One might also mention that some leaders are starting to feel the weight of the years (Lowry). Above all, this Heat often gives the impression of being a reactionary team, which no longer bites into the opponent but which waits to be attacked to react.
Once the Heat are able to go and win in Boston, they are supposed to be able to handle the Spurs, who still played their game carefully, at home. And oh no! However, San Antonio left doors open for Miami to win this game and Jimmy Butler even rushed in. Always fond of clutch moments, Mister Buckets has taken out the boss’s suit to bring his own up to standard. Big shoot, perfect shift for the unmarked buddy, bingo. We say good, thank you Jimmy for saving the country once once more. But then why Miami didn’t once put the ball in Butler’s hands on the — hang on — last three possessions of the game ? At some point, you don’t have to look far to find the reasons for a defeat. Especially when you give the stick to get beaten.
Another defeat for Miami, another forgettable performance and above all to forget. It seems a long time ago when this Heat reigned over the Eastern Conference. However, that was eight months ago.
