Photo: Peter Baba

Things have not gone as expected for the Heat this season. Just two years after reaching their second NBA Finals with Jimmy Butler, the team faced a major setback when their All-Star leader requested a trade.

His departure sent Miami tumbling down the Eastern Conference standings, leaving head coach Erik Spoelstra to adjust to a new reality: a likely play-in tournament berth.

As The Miami Herald’s Anthony Chiang reports, Spoelstra acknowledged the team’s struggles but remains focused on the competitive nature of the league.

“Are we where we had planned to be as an organization? No, but there is great competition now league-wide. And when you have something to play for as an organization, it’s fun and it matters still.”

Despite the challenges, Miami still has a chance to fight for a playoff spot, but their path is much tougher than in previous seasons.

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