Dragic soars at high altitude

MEXICO CITY — It was evident by their heavy breathing and more than the usual tugging at the shorts that the Miami Heat were having difficulty with the high-altitude conditions.

They just refused to let it affect the outcome. The Heat more than handled the conditions in a 101-89 victory against the Brooklyn Nets on Saturday at Arena Ciudad de Mexico.

They are now 1-1 heading into the finale of this three-game road at Memphis on Monday. Guard Goran Dragic and Tyler Johnson led the way with 20 points each.

“Our defensive commitment and disposition on that side of the ball was much better,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. “This was a possession game. It turned out to be relatively physical. I thought as the game went on guys were probably more fatigued but we executed better.”

The Nets entered with a built-in advantage, having been in Mexico City a day longer. They arrived Wednesday and defeated Oklahoma City the next day. It provided more time to get acclimated to the altitude, which usually takes a few days to adjust to. Mexico City sits 7,350 feet above sea level, higher than any NBA destination.

The Heat did everything possible to speed the adaptation process, including holding an intense practice dedicated mostly to conditioning Friday. The rotation was also extended to combat stamina and fatigue issues.

“The altitude was really tough,” Dragic said. “My chest felt like it was exploding. It was like having two games in one game. I think Spo did an amazing job rotating the guys early and then to be fresh the whole game.”

For Heat guard Dion Waiters, it was more than the elevation causing problems. He continues to deal with a hyperextension on his right, non-shooting elbow. Waiters wore a protective wrap over it during the first quarter before removing it because of discomfort.

He finished with two points on 1-of-10 shooting.