The Miami Heat are off to a slow start this season, winning only 4 of their first 7 games. Some teams in the NBA would be more than happy to have a record of 4-3 through 7 games, but for the 2 time defending NBA champions it is a disappointment. Miami opened the season against the Chicago Bulls and made a solid statement. Miami’s defense against Derrick Rose and the Bulls was impeccable, and it looked like the sky was the limit for the team this year.
Miami’s next game was against the 76ers, who many thought were the worst team in the league by far. A rookie named Michael Carter-Williams was extremely close to recording a quadruple-double in his very first NBA game for the 76ers. The Miami Heat actually started the game being outscored 19-0. Miami clawed its way back in the game, but the 76ers won by a narrow margin.
After losing another game to the Brooklyn Nets, Miami had 3 straight wins against Washington, Toronto, and Los Angeles. Miami’s most previous game was against the Celtics on Saturday night. Miami was in control for most of the game, until the young Celtics team made a comeback. Boston was down by 2 points with only 0.6 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter. Jeff Green caught the ball in the far corner and somehow released a shot in under 0.6 seconds and scored a game winning 3 pointer.
Many people have said that Miami looks disinterested or lazy during the regular season, but that may just be because they know that the only thing that matters is winning in the playoffs. Time will tell whether or not Miami is prepared for a 3-peat.