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The Good, Bad and Miami Heat Culture: Defensive struggles

By Lauren Gewirtz

MIAMI, FL - OCTOBER 29: Josh Richardson #0 of the Miami Heat handles the ball against the Sacramento Kings on October 29, 2018 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL - OCTOBER 29: Josh Richardson #0 of the Miami Heat handles the ball against the Sacramento Kings on October 29, 2018 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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MIAMI, FL – OCTOBER 24: Head coach Erik Spoelstra of the Miami Heat looks on against the New York Knicks during the first half at American Airlines Arena on October 24, 2018 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL – OCTOBER 24: Head coach Erik Spoelstra of the Miami Heat looks on against the New York Knicks during the first half at American Airlines Arena on October 24, 2018 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

The Bad

Defense has been the biggest fall for the Heat in each of the losses this week.

They are not only struggling to play good defense, but have also lacked speed and intensity, leading to easy points for their opponents.

Spoelstra was adamant after the loss against the Hawks Saturday that they have to be better:

"“The fourth quarter defense and the effort from the guys was what’s going to be required for 48 minutes,” said Spoelstra. “We were able to hold them to 21 points and you could feel the intensity of the guys on the court laying it all out there for better or worse, and that’s the type of desperation and urgency we’re going to need for our complete game.”"

So, what is it going to take then for the Heat to play with the intensity all game?

To start, it simply comes down to effort on both sides of the floor. It seems like it takes the Heat being down, for them to finally find motivation to do what they are supposed to do on the defensive end.

Winslow also had an answer after the loss to the Hawks:

"“I think the mentality of just doing your job every time,” said Winslow. “That’s something that we just need to try to focus on and do; have each others’ backs, but just play with that sense of urgency that we always seem to play with in the fourth quarter. You know, it’s hard to replicate that in the first three quarters, but we got to figure something out.”"

The Heat are No. 7 in the league in opponents fourth quarter points per game, but No. 23 in opponent third quarter points per game.

Urgency is the key word here.

Once the Heat find that without first having to face a point deficit mid-game, then that effort will come with it.

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