The Miami Heat’s title hopes may hing upon how they respond to a recent lost to Wizards Reasons Sunday’s brutal defeat against the Wizards should serve as a wake-up call for the Heat.
Sunday night should’ve been an opportunity for the Miami Heat to wash out the taste of recent back-to-back losses, gain ground in the playoff hunt and provoke vintage post-game locker room content from Jimmy Butler. You know, the fruits of facing the Washington Wizards: A lottery-bound laughing stock who just snapped a 16-game losing streak last Friday. The win was the 11th of their disastrous campaign.
None of that happened.
The Heat, on the other hand, lost 110-108 and slid to seventh place in the East. Butler addressed reporters with a sad demeanour. He remarked, “This game is just very humbling,” moments after missing a three-pointer that would have won the match.
The Heat need to take the humiliating loss to the Wizards on Sunday as a wake-up call, as they are currently stuck in a three-game losing streak. Their response could determine whether they win the NBA title.
In these three games, we didn’t manage our business, Erik Spoelstra, the Heat coach, stated.
Handling business immediately is essential because history has shown there’s a near-direct correlation between a great March and a June and a better chance at hoisting the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy.
Outside of the dynasty-era Golden State Warriors, every 21st century champion finished March with a .500 record or better and 21 of the 24 had winning percentages of .600 or better. During Miami’s title runs in 2006, 2012 and 2013, it had a combined March winning percentage of .800.
However, these Heat are 2-3 this month. That record could continue to remain sub-.500 if future efforts mirror Sunday’s. The competition is just too good. Their next game is against the reigning champion Denver Nuggets and, later this month, they’ll see playoff contenders in the Philadelphia 76ers, Cleveland Cavaliers, New Orleans Pelicans, Cleveland Cavaliers and Warriors.
