As the Miami Heat prepare to take on the San Antonio Spurs on Monday night, the team is trying to bounce back from a heartbreaking 123-122 loss to the Houston Rockets on Saturday. As the Heat go through a tough four-game stretch, head coach Erik Spoelstra explains what the team is going through.
Miami's loss to Houston saw the team blow a 12-point lead, but then surrendered what turned out to be a close game throughout the season, led by an impeccable night from Bam Adebayo, who recorded 32 points and 21 rebounds. Still, it came down to the final possession, in which Amen Thompson's put-back basket won the game, adding to the "pain" the Heat were going through, as Spoelstra said.
“When you say you have to develop some patience, you have to go through it,” said Spoelstra, formerly of Axe, via Heat Central on Twitter. "When you feel like every possession matters, and part of the grit is that you have to go through some pain. So we're going to go through some pain right now, and it's going to steal us. It's going to make us better, and we'll focus on getting ready for a tough opponent on Monday."
Coach Spo with more about finding his 'grit'
"When you say you have to develop some patience you have to go through it. There are consequences. When you feel these types of emotions and realize that every asset matters. Part of the patience is that you have to go through some pain.… https://t.co/6EZBv3SFWq pic.twitter.com/pdsRdiGf4y
- Heat Central (@HeatCulture13) 22 March 2026
Heat's Erik Spoelstra on recovering from recent tough loss
As the Heat prepare for the playoffs, with the team struggling to get out of the play-in tournament, the goal now is to not let these tough losses get the roster down. However, a final game like the one against the Rockets would be a pity, as Adebayo made a great save on Kevin Durant, with Thompson running after the team for the put-back.
“Just stick with it,” Spoelstra said. "We're talking about having collective composure, and we thought we showed that composure during the game... You just think about the karma of the game, we'll find a way to get out of here with a win. Missed a block-out at the end. And Thompson had a great game."
Who was at fault in the last match for Heat Nation to win??? pic.twitter.com/hawFEmz0wl
- Heat Central (@HeatCulture13) 22 March 2026
At any rate, Miami will be trying to snap its losing streak against a strong opponent on Monday in the Spurs.
