The Miami Heat have a chance to see what they are really made of on Monday night. When you look at what’s before them in its entirety, this applies on four very distinct levels.
For one, they’ll be on the second night of a back-to-back set after losing to Sacramento in a close one on Sunday, surely testing both their mental and physical conditioning.
They will also be continuing along a road trip that has included this far west swing, further testing the limits of what they should be able to do on a night to night basis.
The third level, and a finicky one at that, has everything to do with their roster. They are playing with a ton of guys that won’t be on a roster in a few days— at least not a big-league one.
Lastly and perhaps most importantly amongst this quartet of factors surrounding this particular contest is this one. They’ll be facing off against one of the best teams in the entire league.
Miami Heat Can Bounce Back With A Statement Against Warriors
Led by the guy that, very well, might be the MVP of the league when it’s all said and done in Stephen Curry, the Golden State Warriors are a tough test for anyone.
While Klay Thompson is set to come back any day now, a home game in January per reports and also immediately back into the starting lineup, he won’t be there on Tuesday for this Warriors team.
That doesn’t mean that they still don’t have plenty to contend with.
With a healthy mix of springy wing guys, size, defensive toughness, and of course the long-ranged shooting from Steph Curry among others, this Golden State team will still be a ton for the Miami Heat to deal with.
Their league-leading record says as much. As for the Heat, look for a big performance from their best player, Jimmy Butler.
While the facts that he’s as gritty, determined, and inspiring as they come with a chip the size of his home state of Texas on his shoulder are enough, there is something else.
Well, also other than the fact that a guy like him loves the opportunity to relish in his underdog mentality, such as this scenario that sees his undermanned team facing off against the NBA darling Warriors.
The Miami Heat Will Need A Big Showing From Their Best Guy, Jimmy Butler
Missing a key opportunity at the end of the game on Sunday, one of the easiest looks in that particular situation that he or any NBA player might ever have, he was unable to get the shot to go.
It wasn’t typical of Butler though, in that he usually comes through in those moments and does it in the way that makes the most sense.
Neither of those ended up being the case Sunday, as he had the opportunity to take an easier look off-glass, but chose to float it up at the rim with more touch than a surer look off the window. The shot wouldn’t go.
That whole scenario and all the other factors mentioned should have him eager to get out there again, especially against these guys. All this goes into why this is the perfect opportunity for the Miami Heat to go steal one, while also showing just how good they are.
It would also be most satisfying after a letdown like Sunday.