All U Can Heat
Fansided

Miami Heat: Failing to capitalize on chance to get ahead

By Kenneth Wilson

MIAMI, FL - NOVEMBER 27: Head coach Erik Spoelstra of the Miami Heat talks with Dwyane Wade #3 against the Atlanta Hawks at American Airlines Arena on November 27, 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 - NOVEMBER 27: Head coach Erik Spoelstra of the Miami Heat talks with Dwyane Wade #3 against the Atlanta Hawks at American Airlines Arena on November 27, 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) /
facebooktwitterreddit

The NBA regular season is winding down, and teams are jousting for playoff positioning. Desperate for separation, the Miami Heat failed to capitalize on a prime opportunity.

On a nine game night in the NBA, Monday saw a prime opportunity for the Miami Heat to secure their playoff hopes. With every team fighting for those final Eastern playoff slots in action, Miami failed to come away with a much-needed victory in Boston.

Although the ending to Monday night’s game was ugly enough, it paled in comparison to the beginning. The Miami Heat were blitzed early by the Boston Celtics. They were down 17-2 until the five-minute mark of the first quarter, and closed the quarter down 36-17.

The Miami Heat never led in this game, but they did pull back within to as much as 3 points with around six minutes to go in the game.  The Heat wound up losing 110-105, and in the process squandered away a precious opportunity. They will get a chance to avail their loss on Wednesday in Miami as they face the Celtics again in their next game.

As mentioned, among the nine games in the NBA on Monday were games that included the Detroit Pistons, the Brooklyn Nets, and the Orlando Magic. These teams are important right now for the Miami Heat because they sit just above or below them in the standings. Here is more food for thought, they all took losses on Monday night.

Looking at the standings, the Pistons sit in sixth place in the east with a record of 39-38, while the Brooklyn Nets sit seventh with a record of 39-39. If the Miami Heat would have won on Monday, that would have given them a record of 39-38. Yes, this means that they would have been tied with the Pistons for the sixth spot, ahead of Brooklyn for the seventh spot, and firmly ahead of the Orlando Magic lurking at the nine spot with a record of 38-40.

Next. Is the Miami Heat zone defense ready for the playoffs?. dark

With only five games remaining in the regular season, the Miami Heat can’t afford to drop many (if any) more games. The Orlando Magic have a few seemingly easy games coming up, and with them owning the tiebreaker with the Heat, to end up in a tie for the last slot would be a heart breaker. This team has come a long way this season, and more so with Dwyane Wade‘s last dance and playing so well, it would be shameful if they didn’t make the postseason.

Home/Heat News