Erik Spoelstra’s Powerful Statement Highlights Miami Heat’s Dog Mentality Even Amid Crisis

The Heat fought hard against the Warriors even without Jimmy Butler and was actually neck-and-neck with the visitors in the first half, even taking a 55-53 lead at halftime.

However, it was in the third quarter when everything changed for the home team, as the Warriors went on insane run to outscore them and take the lead. Klay Thompson and Andrew Wiggins each scored eight apiece in the period to fuel a 32-20 run for the Dubs.

Miami was able to cut the Warriors’ lead to just six, 87-81, with 9:25 to go in the fourth. But that proved to be their last hurrah, with Golden State staging a 26-point outburst that only got 11 points in response from Miami.

The Warriors secured the 113-92 win, with Thompson top-scoring for them with 28 points on 6-of-14 shooting from deep. Stephen Curry, for his part, dropped 17 points along with six assists after going 3-of-10 from behind the 3-point line.

Sure enough, after the game, there are plenty of concerns about the Heat and their playoff chances amid their inconsistency and injury woes. Spoelstra, nonetheless, ensured everyone that his team knows what they need to do.

Miami Heat’s Mentality

Speaking to reporters postgame, Erik Spoelstra was asked if there will be an increased intensity from the team now that there are only 10 games left on the season and they are still one-and-half game behind the sixth-seeded Indiana Pacers.

The Miami Heat head coach then proceeded to emphasize that they are well aware of the situation. He also noted that his team, despite all the injury problems they are facing, didn’t back down against the Golden State Warriors.

Coach Spo made sure everyone knows that the Heat have always been competitive and will remain the same regardless of  the situation.

“Our guys understand, our guys are not ignorant and our guys are extremely competitive. A game like this, it’s not because our guys don’t care, that is not it. Our guys laid it out there, [we] just couldn’t get enough momentum offensively, decision making, shot-making, to keep it close,” Spoelstra said of the loss to Warriors, per Zachary Weinberger.

“Defensively, I thought it was it was good until at a certain point we didn’t make shots and then our resolve weakened a little bit. And then [Stephen] Curry, [Klay] Thompson  pretty much shut the door with those 3s and their shot-making that just kind of took the resolve and hope away from us those last four minutes.”

Sure enough, that’s something that Heat fans want to hear. It’s not yet over for Miami and they still have a good chance to finish within the Top 6. Nonetheless, they will have to  work hard for it.