What Do the Miami Heat Need to Beat the Spurs in Their Third Preseason Game?
Last night, the Miami Heat fell short by ten points, losing to the Milwaukee Bucks, 103-93, in preseason action. Despite a great performance by the Heat, the Bucks still prevailed with their depth and consistency down the stretch. Miami showed flashes of defensive intensity and second-chance efforts but struggled in the fourth quarter, being outscored 35-22. The standout performance for the Miami Heat came from second-year player Kel’el Ware, who continues to prove himself as a rising star with 13 rebounds, ten of them defensive, and 18 points, showing his versatility on both ends of the floor. Norman Powell also stepped up, adding 18 points and seven rebounds, providing much-needed support. However, the Heat’s bench production and perimeter defense remained areas of concern, as the Bucks’ outside shooting and late-game efforts proved too much for the Heat. To compete against elite teams like the Bucks and prepare for the upcoming challenges, such as the San Antonio Spurs, the Heat will need to tighten their rotations, improve ball movement, and find more consistent scoring options beyond their core.
Looking ahead, the Miami Heat will face the Spurs on Wednesday, a young, energetic team built around the generational talent of Victor Wembanyama. His length and rim protection present a major obstacle for Miami’s interior scoring, forcing the Heat to rely more on outside shooting and quick ball movement. Kel’el Ware’s matchup with Wembanyama will be key, as his ability to hold opposing players from taking outside shots has proven to work on many occasions. Miami must also look to get Jaime Jaquez Jr. scoring early, spacing the floor, and drawing San Antonio’s defense away from the paint. Defensively, the Heat must remain locked in for all four quarters. Against the Bucks, the lack of perimeter coverage proved to be fatal, something that they cannot afford, as a team that moves the ball as well as San Antonio does. Bam Adebayo must lead by example, communicating, rotating, and closing out with intensity. Miami’s bench will also need to step up and provide scoring relief when the starters rest. If the Heat can combine disciplined defense and smarter offensive plays, then Miami could bounce back from its loss last night.
As the Heat prepare for their next matchup, head coach Erik Spoelstra will once again be tasked with guiding his team through the unknown. Spoelstra has built a reputation for adapting to adversity, whether it's reworking rotations or finding new ways to compete with faster teams like the Spurs. His emphasis on preparation and accountability will be vital for the Heat to win. If Miami can embrace the challenges ahead with the same mindset and trust in Spoelstra’s system, they have every chance to turn this early setback into a defining moment in preseason action.
