MIAMI—Erik Spoelstra always talks about “competition” and how it drives his Miami Heat, how the veteran team thrives on the intensity and tightrope walking that goes hand-in-hand with the NBA playoffs.
It’s now time to find out if it’s just words or if it’s action.
The Heat, as beaten up as the Toronto Raptors, face another post-season elimination game Friday night at the American Airlines Arena, down 3-2 in the best-of-seven Eastern Conference semifinal.
It was the same situation they faced in the first round against Charlotte, winning Game 6 on the road to stay alive and crushing the Hornets in Game 7.