Funny how quickly things can turn around. First 21 wins out of 22 games, then a three-game losing streak with superstars crumbling with sprained ankles.
The final moments of Saturday's game against the Bulls was so reminiscent of the last few years, with Dwyane Wade needing to carry the load just to stay close, then an awful offense rebound allowed leading to a huge score from the opponent, then a discombobulated final possession.
There's one way to look at it that I'm pretty sure any Heat fan will accept: If this is as bad as it's going to get in terms of injuries, then that's perfectly OK.
LeBron James should be back in time to face the Hawks on Tuesday at home, while Chris Bosh, who sprained his ankle Saturday, should, at the very least, return in time for the following game against the Raptors on the 22nd. If there's nothing more significant than that, the Heat will go on another tear pretty soon thereafter.
Rather than dwell on the losing streak, let's examine this whole Mario Chalmers debate. It's promising to see him playing with confidence and being aggressive and everything else. But sometimes his aggressiveness leads to turnovers, missed shots or outright frustrating moments.
That was certainly the case against the Bulls, when he missed eight of his 12 shots, had three turnovers to just three assists and the Heat was outscored by five while he was on the floor.
Meanwhile, Eddie House, who struggled defending Derrick Rose (but who doesn't?), was 3 of 3 from distance, and the Heat outscored the Bulls by 14 when he was on the floor. For that matter, Mike Miller, had a plus/minus of plus-16 in his 26 minutes. Just starting to wonder if Chalmers' newfound confidence might not be the greatest thing for this team, especially late in games.
It will definitely help when LeBron is playing again, but it might not hurt if Erik Spoelstra started experimenting with lineups that maybe include Miller as a version of a point-forward, or with House in there at the point guard spot instead of Chalmers.
Or the Heat can win 10 straight again and never have to worry about it.
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