Miami Hope Worst Is Behind Them After Seven-Game Losing Streak
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At one point, it looked like the Miami Heat were in danger of letting the season slip away.
They lost seven straight games in a variety of ways. It appeared they were going to need another late-season rally just to make the playoffs.
And then this week happened.
The Heat snapped the skid by winning straight against the Sacramento Kings and Washington Wizards, showing signs of a turnaround. The best part? They feel the worst is in the rearview.
"We straight. We always was even whenever we were losing games," Heat forward Jimmy Butler said. "We just got to get back to playing the right way, which we have. Believing in one another, smiling and enjoying the process. I feel like we've hit that adversity. We got through it and now it's time to roll."
At 26-23, the Heat are No. 7 in the Eastern Conference standings with only six games left before the NBA All-Star Break. It starts Sunday against the Los Angeles Clippers but there are also games against the Orlando Magic, Boston Celtics, Milwaukee Bucks and Philadelphia 76ers.
Even a 3-3 split would give the Heat momentum entering the final stretch of the season.
"You can't play them all on Sunday, but I know our guys are looking forward to the competition," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. "The Clippers, I think, are the hottest teams in the league right now. It's in our house. We had some decent stretches in LA but they took control in the second half. It's better to be facing them with a little bit of momentum going into it. Our guys are competitions so it should be a fun night."
Shandel Richardson covers the Miami Heat for Inside The Heat, a Fan Nation channel for Sports Illustrated. He has covered the NBA since 2010.
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