Erik Spoesltra has tried to mix and match all preseason long, and none of it has resulted in a preseason win. With the loss to Atlanta on Monday night, the Heat are now 0-5 in preseason play. It's the first time since 2007 that Miami has started a preseason 0-5, and just the second time since 2015 that Miami will have a losing record in the preseason.
In one breath, it is just preseason, and none of this matters. In another breath, if Monday was supposed to be a dress rehearsal for next week, there are some major flashing red flags ahead for this team.
Miami loses to Atlanta in overtime
The fact that Miami blew an overtime lead isn't really cause for concern since none of the players who were on the floor for that would be on the floor during a real overtime game.
What is concerning is that Monday night had to go to overtime in the first place.
Miami dressed 3/5ths of their guaranteed starting lineup (Bam Adebayo, Norman Powell, and Andrew Wiggins) and continued to mix and match with some of their other options. This time around, Erik Spoesltra elected to start Kel'el Ware and Dru Smith.
But despite playing an Atlanta B squad that sat out Trae Young, Jalen Johnson, and Kristaps Porzingis, among others, Miami trailed after the first quarter 35-24.
The main problems that emerged are that Ware and Adebayo looked clunky when they were together on the floor, Smith isn't the answer for Miami's lack of a true playmaking guard (3 points and one assist in 17 minutes), and Miami shot 5-34 from three.
Opening Night is next week
There is a counterargument to be made that Spoelstra is just mixing and matching, and since this is preseason, none of this matters. Miami did have a sizable first-half lead last week against Orlando and was right there with Milwaukee and San Antonio, while starters were still in.
But perhaps the deepest concern, beyond the injuries that have racked up, is that Miami came into this preseason with the intention of playing a more uptempo style and has yet to top 120 points in a game. In three of their five games, they have yet to top 110 points.
There have been bright spots, and Spoelstra does have some options to play with, but if Monday was a dress rehearsal, then Miami needs to go back to the drawing board.