Heat Check

Someone keeps messing with the thermostat once the 4th quarter rolls around. I don't get how a team with so much talent and athletic ability in their starting lineup can perform so terribly against any team with a halfway decent record. Their first loss against Bean-Town was somewhat understandable, since they were still getting passed that awkward new girlfriend stage. But now the numbers speak for themselves, and it gets chilly for Miami late down the stretch.

What's most puzzling about the whole thing is it's not something I can even put my finger on. It's not one thing that everyone can agree on that the Heat need to fix to win big games.

Quick checklist:

-3 All-Stars

-Three point specialists

-Guys who are used to taking the final shot

-Some slightly above average defense

So what's the problem MIA? Why do your leads go M.I.A. after 36 minutes? It's not like you guys are any less deep than any of the other big teams with one or two superstar caliber players. I'd say both Chi-Town and NYK don't have as deep a bench as Miami, yet the Heat have lost to both of them a few times. Maybe 'Bron and Wade and Bosh should stop patting each other on the back and circle jerking at halftime, and focus on finishing a game.

They do have the second best record in the East, so I guess it really doesn't matter a whole helluva lot until the playoffs start. They'll at least get out of the first round. They just gotta stop finding ways to lose, and their talent should be enough to take them on a deep playoff run.