The Miami Heat just finished a three-game road trip, and now, they turn their attention to a three-game home stand. Coming home after a brutal stretch on the road is every sports team's dream. Not only do they want to leave their losses behind them, but going home for a few games in a row always seems to increase spirits in the locker room.
The Heat are hopefully resting on this train of thought, as they gear up to face three quality opponents this week, and facing them all on their home floor might just be what the Heat need to take back some ground they gave up while on the road.
Of course, just because Miami is at home for a stretch doesn't guarantee easy success. Considering the teams they'll be hosting, there will be no easy games. But this is where the Heat can test their mettle, and head coach Erik Spoelstra hopes this stretch will produce something positive compared to Miami's last one.
Erik Spoelstra previews the Heat's upcoming home stand as an opportunity to get back on track
Dropping the previous three games was disappointing to say the least, but losing to the Indiana Pacers by 24 points along the way was one of Miami's more deflating games of the season. Yet, despite being just one game above .500 today (20-19), the Heat have a window before them to problem-solve and get back on track.
There are just three problems: the Boston Celtics, Phoenix Suns, and the Oklahoma City Thunder. What do these three teams have in common? They're all currently better than the Heat, playing better than the Heat, and will be the favorites going into each game against the Heat. These are tough odds; no doubt about it.
The Heat are drawing ever so close to dropping out of their current play-in spot, which is good for eighth in the Eastern Conference. Depending on how this week goes at home, it will determine where they sit in the standings by the end of the weekend. That said, Spoelstra appears hopeful that this homestand will produce something positive for the Heat, as he looked ahead to Miami's next three games earlier this week.
“We know we have a very important week,” Spoelstra said. “This road trip didn’t go the way we wanted it to, for a lot of different factors. We have a great opportunity this week at home. Three good, competitive opponents.”
Good and competitive are the proper choice words to describe the teams the Heat will face. Boston, one of the best surprises of the year considering the absence of Jayson Tatum, sits in a top-three spot in the East — Jaylen Brown is showing he can lead on his own. Phoenix is also playing considerably better than many likely projected heading into the season, and they are nine games above .500.
As for the Thunder, well, they can barely lose these days. Plus, they already bested the Heat over this past weekend in a 124-112 loss on OKC's home floor. The challenge will not get any easier a second time around for Miami, which means the Heat have to adjust with only six days between contests.
Miami will open its home stand against Phoenix on Tuesday night. The Heat are in danger of falling below .500 if they three-and-out this week. To avoid that, Miami must outplay their opponents by being physical and being mentally checked in from tip-off. This week presents a great opportunity for the Heat, and only they can capitalize on it.