MIAMI — Observations and other notes of interest from Monday night’s 119-109 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers:

– The formula is apparent, evident, undeniable.

– And at the highest level, still might not be enough.

– At a talent deficit in this one, as often is the case, the Heat compensated for that deficit with hustle, energy and precision when needed.

– So, yes, the cliche’ all-the-little-things.

– Which is what this roster is all about.

– Bam Adebbayo filling the box score.

– Pelle Larsson throwing around any and every body part.

– Jaime Jaquez Jr. at relentless speed.

– All of which was all the more impressive while playing on the second night of a back-to-back.

– Erik Spoelstra is well aware that this is the only way for the 2025-26 Heat.

– As he has frustratedly expressed after all the recent losses.

– Yes, Tyler Herro and Norman Powell can score.

– Yes, the offense was a hoot early in the season.

– But as some sort of postseason looms, which likely will be more play-in, the question comes down to whether hustle can be enough.

– Which based on the Heat’s past two postseasons, already has offered an answer.

– Still, had there been more nights like this recently, there at least could have been a better regular-season outcome.

– Are the Heat good enough?

– The roster has offered its answer with sobering realities, such as Sunday night’s loss in Indiana.

– But when they play hard, there still can be positive vibes.

– Which were sorely needed on a night like this, after a night like Sunday.

– With Powell missing a second consecutive game due to illness, Heat again opened with Herro,  Adebayo, Larsson,  Andrew Wiggins and Davion Mitchell.

– The 76ers opened with Joel Embiid, Paul George, Tyrese Maxey, Dominick Barlow and VJ Edgecombe.

– Kel’el Ware this time was first off the Heat bench.

– Jaquez then followed.

– In another twist, it was then Dru Smith off the bench ahead of Kasparas Jakucionis.

– With Simone Fontecchio making it nine deep.

– A rotation that further tightened in the second half.

– Spoelstra before the game again addressed the lagging defense.

– “I mean,” he said, “we know what it is at this point. I mentioned it (Sunday) night, our guys want to. I feel like we have enough of the habits. We’ve talked about it enough. And now it just needs to show when we need it the most.”

– Spoelstra said there was no choice but to put Sunday’s loss to the Pacers behind.

– “By the time we got off the plane,” he said of the overnight flight, “everything was just focused on this game.”

– Spoelstra also acknowledged the need for better 3-point defense.

– “We have to make those extra efforts to get guys off the line,” he said. “It’s as simple as that, but it’s not easy to do. It just requires more.”

– He added, “We’re going through a stretch where teams are also making shots.”