Barring a stunning collapse, the Miami Heat likely will win between 55 and 58 games this season. And it might be the least impressive 50-plus-win season in the history of the NBA.
Let’s be clear about one thing: 50 wins is impressive. But for a team constructed to win multiple championships, every loss to a contender is a reminder of how far away Miami is from being the NBA’s elite franchise.
The Heat lost to a fellow playoff team on Sunday (again) when LeBron James came up empty (again) with the game on the line (again). At some point, we go from hiccup to trend to problem, and Miami’s inability to win close games, inability to beat good teams and inability to make clutch shots is bordering on the surreal.
The Heat now are 1-9 against the top five teams in the NBA, 5-11 against the top six teams in the Eastern Conference and 5-13 in games decided by five points or less. They also are an astounding 1-for-16 from the floor on game-tying or winning shots in the last 10 seconds of regulation or overtime.
