Miami goes to Atlanta on Wednesday at 0-4, with a four-game losing streak and last place in the conference. This franchise built its name by winning on the road and closing games, and this roster has done neither.
The Road Standard
Micky Arison bought the team in 1995 and brought in Pat Riley as president and coach. Two seasons later Miami went 61-21. Its 32-9 road record earned the nickname Road Warriors, and that team reached the conference finals. The schedule now asks for the same thing. Miami plays at Atlanta, hosts Indiana, then goes to the Lakers, Clippers and Warriors. A team that cannot win at home has to learn on the road, and fast.
Dallas, Reversed
In 2006 Miami trailed Dallas 0-2 in the Finals and came back to win the franchise's first title. On Monday the Mavericks did the coming back. Miami led by 12 and lost 113-109. In the final 31 seconds, Cooper Flagg blocked Andrew Wiggins' running three, scored on a drive with 10 seconds left, and Zaccharie Risacher then blocked Davion Mitchell at the rim. Giannis Antetokounmpo's 29 points, 14 rebounds and 11 assists came with 3-of-7 free throws and five turnovers. The triple-double is no excuse for those misses.
Rock Bottom Has Precedent
The 2007-08 Heat went a league-worst 15-67. Riley left the bench after that season and gave the job to Erik Spoelstra, who still has it. Spoelstra has climbed out of a hole before. The difference is that this hole was dug by a veteran roster built to win now. Bam Adebayo shot 3 of 10 and 0 of 5 from deep against Dallas. ESPN reported that he says critics "make me the scapegoat." Box scores settle that argument, not interviews.
On This Date
On October 27, 2010, early in the first Big Three season, Miami won 97-87 at Philadelphia. That group went on to four straight Finals. On the same date in 2023, Miami lost 111-119 at Boston. Talent got that 2010 team started. Accountability is what kept it there. Bobby Portis Jr. finished plus-8 off the bench Monday and Dru Smith went 2 of 2 from deep. Minutes should go to players who produce.
Bottom Line
Atlanta is 2-2 and has lost two straight. Henri Veesaar and Mouhamed Gueye are out for the Hawks, and Aaron Wiggins is listed day-to-day. Miami expects Simone Fontecchio and Pelle Larsson back Wednesday after each was listed day-to-day. The Road Warriors standard was not about talent. It was about closing. Win in Atlanta, or the history becomes an indictment.
When do the Heat play next?
Miami plays at the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday, October 28, then hosts the Indiana Pacers on October 30.
What was the Heat's worst season?
The 2007-08 Heat went 15-67, the worst record in the league that year. Erik Spoelstra took over as head coach after that season.
