Q: Here we are again, just like three seasons ago when I came on this forum advocating for losing in the play-in and getting in the lottery. You were sort of playing devil’s advocate and saying if you get in the playoffs, you never know what might happen. I was proven wrong as the Heat went to the Finals. I’m hoping again this year to lose in the play-in to get into the lottery. You were sort of playing devil’s advocate with someone else a day or two ago, but I believe leaning toward the missing-the-playoffs side of the argument this time. – Morgan, New Orleans.
A: And I’m not sure I can maintain this united front with myself much longer in light of the losses to the Magic, Hornets and Lakers. Yes, as Bam Adebayo has pointed out, the Heat have beaten many of the league’s elite this season, from the Thunder to the Nuggets to the Rockets to the Pistons to the Knicks. But what matters, also, is when you do it, when the stakes are highest. Those stakes have been elevated the past week for the Heat and the response has been loss, loss, loss. Unless something changes in these coming games against the Rockets, Spurs, Cavaliers and then Cavaliers again, it will be difficult making the case of being able to beat any East top seed in a best-of-seven series. And, by now, the joy of play-in success has worn thin.
Q: Ira, The Lakers played their third game in four nights and everyone played and played well. Why can’t the Heat ever have a healthy lineup? Is it because Erik Spoelstra respects Gregg Popovich so much? I swear there is a special place in hell for him for inventing load management. – Roy, Miami.
A: Based on the Heat’s current place in the playoff race, the last thing Erik Spoelstra is manipulating is load management. The Heat very much need Andrew Wiggins back from his toe issue. And playing without Jaime Jaquez Jr. didn’t help against the Lakers. But sometimes players are just hurt.
Q: Someone has to ask Erik Spoelstra the next time he complains about the defense not being good enough, can it be good enough with a smaller, guard-heavy lineup? – K.B.
A: Which he surely knows. But against the Lakers, the Heat were playing from beyond, meaning holding the Lakers in check wasn’t good enough, with points needed to be put on the board. That’s where they miss a two-way player like Andrew Wiggins.