MIAMI — Jimmy Butler Udonis HaslemThey were shouting at one another, their fingers pointed in different directions, and some Miami players tried to be peacemakers. Erik Spoelstra, Heat coach, slammed a clipboard on the ground in frustration.
The Heat didn’t let that be the low point of the evening.
The Heat fell to the short-handed 118-104 Golden State WarriorsTheir second consecutive loss, and their fourth in seven games, means that Miami’s hold on the Eastern Conference top spot is now tenuous.
The second-half saw tempers flare on the Miami bench, as Golden State opened the third quarter with an impressive 19-0 run. Butler and Spoelstra had some words to each during the Warriors’ timeout. Butler and Haslem then exchanged words. Both had to be reprimanded by their teammates.
It took Miami 35 minutes to get out of the locker room after the game. This was three times longer than usual.
Heat guard Kyle LowryAccording to the Heat, this incident can be attributed to passionate players who are tired of losing. The Heat are now 1 1/2 games behind Boston and Milwaukee in the Eastern Conference race. Wednesday’s loss saw them lose.
Lowry stated that “Our guys want to win basketball games” and that they have a lot of hardworking guys. “The passion flows. Sometimes, the fire and the emotions are out. As I said, it’s nothing to us. We continued to build our relationship after we had had a conversation.
Spoelstra left the sideline disputes to the side and said he believed they wouldn’t impact the team.
Spoelstra stated, “We have greater things to achieve.” “But, we do want better. The rest of the team. It all starts with our leadership. Our veteran players must lead. Then we need to play better. We played more consistently and that was really the only discussion. It could be difficult to see from the outside but that is more what we speak than playing without passion, without toughness, or without multiple efforts.
Spoelstra stated that you can make moments in the season work for your advantage. It is possible to unite over disappointment and frustration. But, teams can also be a force for good. This is not what I see in our group. That is not what I see with our locker rooms. However, we need a kick in our butt.”
The Heat will be off for one day before they return to action on Friday when they host the New York Knicks.
This report was compiled by the Associated Press.