Miami has lost three straight by 25, 17 and 5, and now hosts a Mavericks team that is 1-2. The standard is simple: win a game that is there to be won.
Lead Fact
The Heat are 0-3 and own the 12th seed. The Miami Herald's Anthony Chiang reported that this is the first 0-3 start since 2007-08. Miami lost 106-131 to Minnesota, 111-128 to Detroit and 110-115 at Charlotte. That is a bad trend, not a bad week.
Tonight's Test
Dallas visits tonight on NBA TV. Both teams had one day of rest. The Mavericks list Naji Marshall, Caleb Martin, Tarik Biberovic, Dereck Lively II, Cooper Flagg and Santi Aldama as out. Flagg was averaging 23.0 points in two games. Miami will not get a softer opening to a week that includes Atlanta on Wednesday and Indiana on Friday.
The Number
Giannis Antetokounmpo is averaging 28.3 points and 8.0 rebounds, and he is shooting 16.7 percent from three. Andrew Wiggins is at 7.7 points on 18.2 percent. Tim Hardaway Jr. is at 5.3 on 17.6. Miami's defensive rating last season was 121.4. Stars are producing. The rest are not.
Open Question
Simone Fontecchio has a true shooting mark of 70.8% over his last 10 games. Spoelstra has a reserve who is scoring efficiently, and the starters are not. Does that change the rotation tonight, or does the coach wait for the veterans to find their shots?
Bottom Line
Miami is 2 games back of sixth and 1 back of tenth, so the table is still within reach. A fourth loss, at home, to a depleted Dallas team would end the explanations. Win this one.
What is the Heat's record this season?
Miami is 0-3 and in the 12th seed in the East after losses to Minnesota, Detroit and Charlotte.
When do the Heat play next after Dallas?
Miami visits Atlanta on October 28, then hosts Indiana on October 30 in an Emirates NBA Cup game.
