Heat look to snap four-game slide after rare practice window
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MIAMI — After dropping their fourth straight game on Tuesday, the Miami Heat welcomed a three-day practice block to reset both physically and mentally.
“We don’t like losing,” head coach Erik Spoelstra said Friday. “It’s a competitive league with a lot of parity. You have to keep improving and block out the noise.”
The club opened the season 14-7 behind hot three-point shooting and unusually cold perimeter shooting from opponents. During the current skid, those trends have flipped, according to The Miami Herald, contributing to the downturn.
Guard Norman Powell credited opposing scouts for adjusting to Miami’s offense. “They’re two, three steps above the three-point line denying passing lanes,” he said. “Individually we all have to be better — attack, kick-outs and avoid tough twos in the paint.”
Herro’s return not an issue, Spoelstra insists
Spoelstra dismissed suggestions that Tyler Herro’s comeback has hurt the team’s rhythm. “We need Tyler,” he said. Miami is 3-3 in Herro’s six appearances, with the 25-year-old producing strong offensive numbers and the team performing better when he is on the floor than when he sits, per The Miami Herald.
Wiggins settles into power-forward minutes
Veteran wing Andrew Wiggins said he is now comfortable spending most of his time at small-ball power forward. “It was newer at the beginning of the year, but I feel comfortable now,” Wiggins noted, adding that the role comes with “advantages and disadvantages.”
Jovic waiting for next opportunity
Fourth-year forward Nikola Jovic has fallen out of the rotation, but Spoelstra expects to give him another chance. “Each day is an opportunity for him to get better and make an impression,” the coach said, without specifying when the 22-year-old might return to game action.
The Heat will try to halt their losing streak when they resume play after the extended practice stretch.
Source: Hoops Rumors
