The Miami Heat lost to Detroit. Detroit has taken a step ahead of the Heat with their play and ability to win basketball games. Miami was competing in the fourth quarter up to the end of the game. The Heaters did blow the lead entering the fourth. But, they kept competing to win the game.
Detroit-Miami past and recent history
As a fan, the last time Detroit has been such a problem for Miami was in the 2004-05 and 2005-06 seasons. The Heat had acquired Shaquille O’Neal in a trade and Dwayne Wade in the 2003 draft. The two Eastern Conference Final playoff series were “epic.”
After that, Miami dominated the Pistons. During the Jimmy Butler era, Detroit would play Miami tough every year. The team would get closer and closer to beating Miami, but wouldn’t. Now, this season, the Pistons have broken through.
A recent article from last season shows how close the Heat-Pistons games were ending. Then, there was Coach Spoelstra’s “timeout game.” Now, Cade Cunningham has finally stepped up to be a star in the matchups with his two clutch three-pointers. Cunningham beat Adebayo clearly to get a great shot.
Heat losing streak reaches nine
There is nothing like competitive basketball. The Heaters fought hard and played better than their last two games. But, unfortunately this iteration of the Heat isn’t good enough to sustain wins. Fans are “frothing at the mouth,” with solutions and blame.
A scan of longtime Heat beat writer, Ira Winderman’s, “Ask Ira” column shows the range of complaints. The Heat are tenth in the East and tied with Chicago for the ninth seed. Toronto is five games behind Miami for the tenth seed. As of now, tankathon.com has the Heat as the ninth pick in the NBA draft.
In the past two seasons, the untrained eye would wonder at Miami in the play-in tournament because of their talent. Now, if the Heat make the play-in tournament and advance past the first game, it will be converted into a helluva coaching job by Spoelstra and his staff.
