The Miami Heat are just one game behind the Detroit Pistons for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
While head coach Erik Spoelstra's team could potentially be a player in the NBA Draft lottery, Spoelstra told AP basketball writer Tim Reynolds that his focus is solely on making the playoffs:
Spo: "This is what you want. This is the stretch run. … We're not playing for ping-pong balls. That would be misery. We're playing for the playoffs right now. And this is ultimately what you want as a competitor. You want your games to have meaning."
— Tim Reynolds (@ByTimReynolds) February 23, 2019
Spoelstra is perhaps the most successful coach in franchise history. He has guided the Heat to the playoffs in eight of his ten seasons as head coach, including two NBA championships in 2012 and 2013.
The former Pat Riley assistant also led a miraculous turnaround in the 2016-17 season. The Heat began the year with an 11-30 record, but closed with a 30-11 run to finish the season at 41-41 and narrowly missing out on a playoff spot due to a tiebreaker.
This was the largest second-half turnaround in NBA history, earning Spoelstra Coach of the Year honors. Needless to say, losing is not in his DNA.
Article Continues BelowThe Heat have–yet again–had to endure a multitude of injuries, including those sustained by Goran Dragic and Dion Waiters, who have combined to play in just 33 games.
Spoelstra has done plenty of experimenting this season without a traditional point guard. Justise Winslow looked like the solution as a sort of point forward, though he continues to be plagued by inconsistent play.
Hassan Whiteside remains a consistent double-double threat, although his inability to shoot free throws (43.1 percent on the year) makes him somewhat of a liability at the end of games.
Still, Spoelstra has found success running the offense through Josh Richardson and maximizing the talent of journeymen players like Kelly Olynyk.
So while the Heat could be in a position to “tank,” do not expect any such strategy from Coach Spo.