ASK IRA: Are the Heat now inventing ways to lose?

Q: It has gotten to the point even with big leads you expect the Heat to lose.

Its always something: five missed free throws in the fourth quarter, a ridiculous 8-second violation, a Knicks tip-in on a missed shot with the Heat up four in overtime, Erik Spoelstra forgetting Kelel Ware is on the team for the fourth quarter when he is having a great game, Highsmith missing an uncontested 3 that could have put the game away, letting Tyler Herro go one-on-five for the last shot of regulation instead of having preferably Bam Adebayo or someone else set a pick for Herro, where he could either shoot or give it up to someone to have a better shot, As a fan it is just so frustrating.

For the players and coaches it is inexcusable.

Joel.A: And yet any of the factors you mention go the other way and it becomes one of the most meaningful victories of the season.

And, yes, that eight-second violation cannot happen.

Teammates and coaches should have been frantic.

As for Kelel Ware not playing late, I can appreciate Erik Spoelstras thought process, that the most likely way to lose a 12-point lead is by 3-pointers, so you want players who can defend on the perimeter.

But you are correct.

A good team might be able to afford a few of what you cite.

A bad team cant.

And thats who the Heat are at the moment.Related ArticlesMiami Heat | Submit your Ask Ira question here!Q: We all know the Heat are not a contending team this year but even so, championship habits are formed in the seasons before raising a banner, and right now, the Heat have some talent but lack something even more important.

Brian.A: But lets also be real.

The Heat over the first half of the season were lacking an interested Jimmy Butler.

And now, since that trade, have been without Andrew Wiggins four times.

Those types of players are the ones capable of preventing collapses.

So we still need to see if Andrew Wiggins is the one.Q: Do you think the Heat should go for a player who just got a buyout or stay as we are? Scoo.A: While there have been a flurry of players released in recent days, with the March 1 buyout deadline a factor as well as Tuesdays deadline to sign players to two-way contracts, the Heat, after their shakeup at the NBA trading deadline, appear set with the 15 they have under standard contracts and the three under two-way deals.

While they could release Dru Smith in favor of another player on a two-way deal, Dru almost assuredly would then be picked up by another team on waivers, retaining his two-way right of refusal.

So what you see likely is what youre going to get the rest of the season..

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