Heat’s Erik Spoelstra admits he needs to do ‘a better job’ amid disappointing 2-5 start
The Miami Heat are nowhere near where they want to be, and even though some patience is required considering that they’re integrating Giannis Antetokounmpo into the team, their start to the 2026-27 season remains quite disappointing. On Monday, the Los Angeles Lakers laughed them off the floor , as the Heat suffered a 138-117 defeat that didn’t […] The post Heat’s Erik Spoelstra admits he needs…
Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra has admitted that he needs to improve his team's defensive performance, as they have suffered a disappointing 2-5 start to the 2026-27 season. The team recently lost to the Los Angeles Lakers 138-117, a game that was not as close as the score would suggest. The Lakers, particularly Luka Doncic, dominated the Heat on the defensive end, with Doncic contributing 42 points, seven rebounds, and 13 assists.
Heat coach Spoelstra acknowledged that the entire team is accountable for the disappointing results, but he felt that he needs to do a better job of getting the team to defend to their potential. The Heat currently rank 27th in defensive rating, allowing 119.8 points per 100 possessions, and their defense has been particularly poor through the first seven games.
The team is still in the process of integrating Giannis Antetokounmpo, a former Defensive Player of the Year, into the roster, and their defensive numbers should improve with his addition. However, the Heat still have 75 more games to figure out their new roster and find an identity.
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