Losers of five-straight and six of their last seven, the Miami Heat are about to embark on their second trip of three games or more away from home this season.
Their first one did not go well. Their extended road trip of the season was a four-game stint from Oct. 30-Nov. 5 against the Spurs, Lakers, Clippers and Nuggets, respectively.
They went 1-3. Their only two “convincing” losses came to the Lakers and Nuggets by 10 points apiece. Though the latter was without Bam Adebayo for all but eight minutes after suffering a toe sprain.
As they hope to snap their first big slump of the season, it’s important they get off to a fast start against the Brooklyn Nets on Thursday.
Why it’s important Heat get hot during three-game road trip:
Defense travels, and the Heat defense has been excellent away from home this season.
Yet, they’re still 4-8 — the 12th-worst record in the sport. Much like they have during this five-game skid, the Heat have struggled to close out opponents. A part of that has been their struggles from beyond the arc — both in frequency and efficiency.
“We like we’ve passed up some (3-pointers), and we feel like we’re over-driving some that may lead to threes,” Spoelstra said after Wednesday’s practice. “The 3-point line has been a difference — an important difference — in a lot of these losses.
“But it works both ways — chipping away at some that we’re giving up. And, certainly, generating some good, clean open looks from behind the line would help our overall offense. Our drives are great, but you want to keep defenses honest.”
The Heat’s losses have been the Orlando Magic (3x), New York Knicks, Dallas Mavericks and Nuggets. None of them has been by more than 10 points. They are set to face Brooklyn on Thursday followed by a red-hot Celtics squad on Friday and the Knicks — who are 13-1 at home — on Sunday.
They will face the Atlanta Hawks on the road five days later and the Detroit Pistons in the Motor City to begin the new year.
There’s no better time to get back on the right track Thursday against the measly Nets, even though it has played better basketball of late after losing 16 of their first 19 games.
What are your predictions for this three-game road trip?! Let us know in the comments below!
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One and two, at best. We lost to the Kings, in a blowout. We also recently lost to a beatable Dallas and helped Toronto end a losing streak. We beat some teams earlier without their best players. And we surprised a couple others by a run and gun offense that teams are now ready for. And, we were healthy on many of those nights, except for Herro. So, it’s not inconceivable that the lowly Nets, who are playing a tad better of late, could give us a game. Against Boston and the Knicks, we will be underdogs.
Our record after the next five games, I predict 15-16, or 16-15, at best.
Very possible, unfortunately.
if dumbot centers the team around ware we will be much better off.guyhas wemby written all over him only a spobot could prevent that