Winslow efficiently getting defensive about his scoring

Forward in fourth season has scored 20 or more points in 3 straight games

SALT LAKE CITY The instruction from Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra was simple enough: Focus on what you do best and you will do everything better.

So Justise and is.

“I think the most important thing with Justise is he made the biggest change two or three weeks ago, really committing to becoming the player he’s supposed to be, and that’s first and foremost, make no mistake about this, a great defensive player,” Spoelstra said.

“And his confidence is growing. He’s not hunting for 30-point games, it’s all in the context of who he’s supposed to be. He’s finishing well. He’s making the right reads. He’s not making mistakes.” Winslow did,

As a result, Winslow has scored 20 or more in three consecutive games for the first time in his four-year career, including a careerhigh 28 in Monday night’s 108-105 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center.

“Honestly, I let my defense feed my offense,” Winslow said, with the Heat turning their attention to Wednesday night’s game against the Utah Jazz, the fourth stop on this season-longest six-game trip. “I just try to be that guy that can do it all defensively and when we do that we get stops. It lets my defense breathe life into my offense.”

Winslow’s career night ended with a career moment, pulled aside by LeBron James for a few encouraging words after the teams’ final meeting of the season.

James’ advice? continue to build,” said.

In a good place with game, Winslow said plans to do just that.

“I’m just surrounding myself with great energy “Just Winslow

his he and positivity,” he said.

Closing time: Monday’s game ended with the expected jersey exchange between Dwyane Wade and James.

Written by Wade on the black No. 3 jersey he gave to James was, “Thanks for pushing me to be greater than I knew I was.”

Wade also handed a pair of shoes to Lakers guard Josh Hart, ones he had inscribed with “One Last Dance,” the theme for his 16th and final NBA season.

The Lakers thought Wade might just create a signature moment, missing a final-seconds 3-pointer that could have tied it.

“I had a bad feeling it was going to go in,” Lakers coach Luke Walton said, “just because of how it set up like that.”

James extended an open invitation for Wade to work out anytime he wants at the Lakers’ practice facility after his retirement, with the two lifting weights together before Monday’s game.

“He’ll be around a lot more, for me personally, which I’ll love that, for sure,” said James. that’s

Extras: Spoelstra said point guard Goran Dragic playing just 17:36 Monday night after being given the previous night off to rest his swollen right knee was a function of the game. “Just getting him out there is big,” he said.

“Not a definitive minutes restriction. We don’t want to have a setback.” Dragic said he experienced no further pain in the knee. ... Forward Josh Richardson was uneven in his return after missing Saturday’s victory over the Los Angeles Clippers with a sore shoulder.

“I felt fine,” he said, closing 3 of 10 from the field, but the lone Heat starter with a positive plus-minus rating. Of his uneven early play Monday he said, “It’s shoot your way in, shoot your way out.”