The HEAT have won 4 games in a row and not against sub-par teams either. This win streak started with a home win against a Houston Rockets teams led by the possibly league MVP, James Harden, and culminated with a win Monday night against the team with the best record thus far in the league, the Golden State Warriors. A disappointing road trip that finished 1-5 didn’t get this team down.
Instead they came back to South Beach and had what every man on the roster concluded as two of the best practices of their season. Now at the end of this 4-game win streak, the team is feeling different than they felt 10 days ago.
Let’s put it into perspective. The HEAT have 37 games left in the season, and they’re 7 games back from the 8th seeded Bulls. It’s a mountain to climb but not insurmountable. While the HEAT have been winning, the 7th seeded Pacers have lost 3 and the Bulls have lost 2 of their last 3.
If fans were hoping the team would tank the season for a high draft pick, then the got their answer to that question on Monday night. Not only did the HEAT beat the Warriors, but they most importantly held them to 8-30 on 3-point shooting. The defense hasn’t been the problem for this team this season, however. It was finding the offense to match.
As Waiters says, the offense to match their defensive identity is coming as the team continues to get healthy. At this point, the playoff run means they have to win 7 while the Bulls fall another 7. The HEAT continue the season with a couple road games, where the true test of what the team is building on will be found out. If the word playoffs is to really start making some sound in the walls of the American Airlines Arena, then it’s time to follow-up their home win streak with much needed road wins.