Miami Heat’s Latest Losing Streak Doesn’t Bode Well for Eastern Conference Playoff Hopes

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Mar 6, 2011

Miami Heat's Latest Losing Streak Doesn't Bode Well for Eastern Conference Playoff Hopes After their first loss of the season, an 88-80 setback at the hands of the Boston Celtics on opening night, the Miami Heat remained optimistic. "Rome," LeBron James reminded us all, "wasn't built in one day."

After their 20th loss of the year, the Heat might not be able to sing that same tune.

Their empire is taking a really, really long time to come together. LeBron and Dwyane Wade have got nothing on Romulus and Remus. That's never been clearer than right now.

The Heat lost their fourth consecutive game on Sunday afternoon, coughing up a golden opportunity to hold off the Bulls in the Eastern Conference playoff race. Derrick Rose dropped 27 points, Luol Deng nailed two huge clutch free throws, and the Heat blew another big game.

That's becoming a trend.

The Heat aren't just losing right now. They're losing in painful, humiliating fashion.

They lost last Sunday against the Knicks when they blew a 15-point lead and Amare Stoudemire stuffed LeBron's game-winner in the final seconds.

They lost Tuesday against the Magic after leading by 24, leading Chris Bosh to break down crying at the podium. Orlando went on a 40-9 lead — that'd drive pretty much anyone to tears.

They lost to the Spurs by 30.

They lost to the Bulls because LeBron and Wade both missed big shots in the final seconds.

The knocks against the Heat are getting easier every day. This team is now 2-8 in games decided by three points or less. If you can't win the close games now, how will you win them in the playoffs? They're 14-18 against winning teams. That doesn't bode well for the postseason, either.

The Heat are now 3 1/2 games back of the Celtics for the East's top playoff seed, and a game behind Chicago for second. They're fading fast.

The schedule has been brutal this week, but it's not about to get any easier. Miami's next five opponents: Portland, Los Angeles, Memphis, San Antonio, Oklahoma City. Just five Western Conference playoff teams. No big deal.

It's stretches like this that test the mettle of a true title contender. If the Heat are for real, they should let the world know right now.

King James tweeted on Wednesday night that with the regular season winding down, he was now
"ReFOCUSED" (bizarre capitalization choice his, not mine). If that's really the case, he should take the court and prove it. The last eight days have demonstrated otherwise.

What do you think of the Heat's losing streak? Share your thoughts below.

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