“It’s a shame felt like we played a very good game I thought there were stretches where we were good defensively

The Miami Heat faced a tough 131-124 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday night, playing without three key starters—Jimmy Butler, Haywood Highsmith, and Tyler Herro. This defeat also marked the team’s official elimination from the NBA In-Season Tournament.

Head coach Erik Spoelstra expressed his disappointment, describing it as a shame, given that he believed the team had played well throughout most of the game. Despite keeping up with the formidable Bucks, Miami faltered in the final minutes, sealing their fate.

Spoelstra acknowledged the team’s commendable performance, especially highlighting star player Bam Adebayo, who contributed significantly with 31 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists. Alongside Adebayo, Spoelstra commended other players like Kyle Lowry and Josh Richardson for their impressive performances.

Despite the recent losing streak, Spoelstra emphasized to the media that there’s a prevailing sense of improvement and confidence within the locker room. He expressed optimism about the team’s capabilities, noting that finding different ways to win is a crucial skill in the league.

Kyle Lowry, who scored 21 points and provided six assists in an efficient game, echoed this positivity in his post-game comments. He acknowledged the challenges faced in recent games, including losing leads, but emphasized the team’s unity and expressed confidence in their potential.

In summary, despite the setback against the Bucks and the end of their tournament run, both Spoelstra and Lowry conveyed a positive outlook for the Miami Heat, emphasizing the team’s improvement, togetherness, and the belief in their potential for success.