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Miami Heat: Erik Spoelstra Drops Strong Demand Amid Crushing Jimmy Butler Injury

Originally posted on Hardwood Heroics | By Rex Villas | Last updated 4/18/24

The Miami Heat never backs down from a challenge. Every team will say that, too, but Erik Spoelstra and his squad are among those most fans would associate such a mentality the most.

And the Heat are going to truly live by that as they are now in a win-or-go-home scenario after losing to the Philadelphia 76ers on the road on Wednesday, 105-104. With Jimmy Butler feared to have suffered a serious knee injury in that loss, chances are Miami will be without its best player when the Heat go up versus the Chicago Bulls on Friday.

Erik Spoelstra Sends Sharp Message to Team After Miami Heat’s Loss to 76ers

Heat head coach Spoelstra definitely still believes that his team has what it takes to pass the test versus Chicago, but also knows that nothing is going to be given to Miami, especially with Butler looking unlikely to suit up.

Via ESPN:

“We will do this the hard way,” coach Erik Spoelstra said. “That has to be the path right now. We’re going to rest up, treat up, rally around each other up, get ready for Friday. Again, embrace these competitive games. It will be competitive in front of our home fans.”

Butler’s injury compounded the health issues of the Heat, who played against the Sixers without Terry Rozier. The former Louisville Cardinals star missed his fifth game in a row dating back to the regular season because of a neck problem.

Presuming both Butler and Rozier will be held out for the Chicago game, the Heat will need a lot of guys to step up, including Tyler Herro, Duncan Robinson, Nikola Jovic, and Bam Adebayo, who scored just 10 points but grabbed 12 boards versus the Sixers.

This article first appeared on Hardwood Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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