On the heels of five straight losses, it's all doom and gloom, and understandably so, for the Miami Heat. However, they can flip the script with one successful road trip. In the process, they could also exorcise some past demons as they prepare for a two-game set against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
With just 10 games left in the season, the Heat will begin this all-important final stretch run with two games in Cleveland, followed by a game against the tanking Indiana Pacers. If the Heat can go 2-1, or even 3-0, during this stretch, it will completely change the tune heading down the stretch.
Of course, that is going to be much more easier said than done.
The Heat must get exorcise their Cavs' demons
The last time the Heat and Cavs played meaningful games, Cleveland was trouncing Miami in the first round of the NBA Playoffs at a historic rate. Against the Cavs last year, the Heat lost that first-round series by a combined 122 points.
In embarrassing fashion, they lost Game 4 by 55. It's certainly something that the Heat haven't forgotten, and one thing the fans may never be able to shake out of their memory.
Even though beating the Cavs this week on the road won't accomplish that, it would certainly help give the Heat's postseason a different feel.
The Heat earning a 5th or 6th seed won't make them contenders in the Eastern Conference by any means, but it's a much better spot than being a sacrificial lamb to the Boston Celtics or Detroit Pistons as a 7th or 8th seed.
At the very least, there's an argument to be made that the Heat would have a fighting chance in a first-round series against the New York Knicks or Cleveland Cavaliers. At the very least, there'd be a conversation to have.
The Heat need to get hot again
But if they want to even get there, they're going to have to prove it during these final 10 games of the season. And that all begins with two games in Cleveland.
Miami has been streaky all season long. It wouldn't be shocking if they caught fire down the stretch. However, they do face a tall task in doing so, considering they've lost seven of their last eight games against Cleveland by an average of 23 points.
If the Heat are going to jump back into the race for a top 6 seed in the Eastern Conference, they're going to have to exorcise some demons in Cleveland first.