USA Today via Reuters
Nov 23, 2021; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (22) gets defended by Detroit Pistons forward Saddiq Bey (41) during the first quarter at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
USA Today via Reuters
Nov 23, 2021; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (22) gets defended by Detroit Pistons forward Saddiq Bey (41) during the first quarter at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
The Miami Heat have had a rough couple of games. After losing to a Philadelphia 76ers team without James Harden and Joel Embiid, they lost to the Golden State Warriors who were without their big 3. An altercation between Jimmy Butler and Udonis Haslem also marred this game.
The Warriors came into town and showed the Heat why they are one of the favorites to win it all. Even though the Heat built a double-digit lead in the first quarter, the Warriors fought back to level it up. And when the second half started, they went on a 19-0 run, which triggered a massive blowup between the Heat.
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After this, the Heat fought back to take the lead, but they could not hold on to it for long. That altercation seemed to trigger a reaction from the players, and the head coach clarifies what was going on in the huddle.
USA Today via Reuters
Nov 17, 2021; Miami, Florida, USA; Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (22) controls the ball against the New Orleans Pelicans during the second half at FTX Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports | Courtesy- Reuters
Miami Heat Coach Erik Spoelstra says they were getting beat down by the Warriors
In the post-game press conference, Spoelstra was asked what happened in the huddle. He says, “Everybody were wondering where dinner plans were tonight after the game. It’s pretty clear, we have a very competitive, gnarly group and we were getting our a**es kicked?”
“We have a very competitive, gnarly group and we were getting our asses kicked…”
Coach Spo talks about the Heat’s sideline encounter in the 3rd quarter
(via @BallyHEAT)
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) March 24, 2022
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“It’s two straight games we were not playing to the level we want to play… Every single person in the huddle was pretty animated about… our disappointment in how we’re playing.”
On Monday, a full-strength Heat team lost to the Sixers who didn’t have Joel Embiid or James Harden. The Sixers thoroughly outplayed them, and Tyrese Maxey gave them the business. And again on Wednesday, they lost to a Warriors team without any of their superstars.
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A championship contender like the Heat should not be losing to teams like this. Haslem was right in calling the players out and that altercation sparked a comeback from the Heat. They will need to pick up the slack soon or they may lose their number 1 seed.
