Amid whirlwind, Heat take pause to appreciate Christmas break, ‘a lot to be grateful for’

MIAMI The rollercoaster gets a two-day pause and Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said it could not be more welcomed.

Amid a whirlwind that saw his team lose from 22 up in the fourth quarter Saturday night in Orlando to the ongoing absence of Jimmy Butler to the devastating injury sustained by Dru Smith in Monday nights victory over the Brooklyn Nets , Spoelstra said his teams Christmas break offers time for needed reflection.

We just want to get everybody feeling good physically, he said, with Butler having missed the past two games due to a stomach illness and guard Terry Rozier held out of Monday nights 110-95 victory over the Nets at Kaseya Center due to knee pain.

The Heats schedule resumes, of all places, Thursday back in Orlando.

Weve had a stretch not of a ton of games, but guys have been dealing with some minor things, Spoelstra said of the teams injury report beyond Smith.

We just want to get ready to feel good and well get ready for a big game in Orlando.

At 14-13, one-third through the regular season, the Heat sit precariously at No.

6 in the Eastern Conference, but just a half-game ahead of the Atlanta Hawks and Indiana Pacers for the final slot ahead of the play-in bracket.

On one hand, the Heat are just one loss behind No.

4 Orlando and No.

5 Milwaukee in the loss column.

On the other, they are just one win ahead of the No.

9 Chicago Bulls and No.

10 Detroit Pistons in the win column.

Against the backdrop, Spoelstra said the timing is right for an exhale before a grueling schedule that includes a three-game trip that starts Thursday in Orlando and continues Saturday in Atlanta and Sunday in Houston.

Related Articles And in the meantime, Spoelstra said, I want guys to understand what a great place were in, even though were not where we want to be.

We want to be grateful for it.

This locker room and who we have, theres a lot to be grateful for, that were all here together for a reason.

And we have an opportunity ahead of us.

So take a couple of days to think about that and reflect on that, see the abundance that will be there for us in 25 and in the meantime well have a great holiday and get ready for a big game in Orlando.

Center Bam Adebayo said the break is needed and appreciated.

Thats what the holiday is about, being around your family, being able to decompress for a little bit, he said, but understanding we still got a job to do after the holidays are over.

Ahead of the holiday, several from the team took time to spread Christmas cheer, including: Roziers foundation on Tuesday hosted a Merry Terry party for youth from the Overtown area at Gibson Park.

Adebayo on Dec.

9 produced and hosted the largest-ever toy giveaway on the Pat Riley Court at Kaseya Center for nearly 1,000 children.

Guard Tyler Herro hosted a shopping event on Sunday at a Nike store for the Voices for Children Foundation.

Spoelstra on Sunday hosted the first Coach Spo 5K, at Niklaus Childrens Hospital to benefit the Miami Heat Charitable Fund and Niklaus Childrens Forward for Generations Campaign.

Former Heat captain and current team executive Udonis Haslem hosted the B Wootie Holiday Program on Friday, shopping with children from his foundation at the Walmart Supercenter in Hialeah.

With his 3-pointer Monday, first-round pick Kelel Ware became just the second 7-foot rookie in franchise history with at least three in a season, tying Justin Hamilton, who made three in 2013-14 .

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While Herros 17 points Monday snapped his streak of 20-point games at five, he has scored at least 17 in his last 22 appearances, the third player in the franchises 37 seasons with such a streak.

LeBron James had five such streaks, Dwyane Wade two .

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Since returning from their six-game trip in November, the Heat have now won eight of their last 10 home games , with the lone losses against the two teams that played in the NBA Cup championship game, the Milwaukee Bucks and Oklahoma City Thunder.

Just three of the Heats next 12 are at home..

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