Team struggling when closing time strikes

Closing time has proven nothing short of harrowing for the Miami Heat over the past week, another decided difference from their postseason play in the quarantine bubble at Disney World at the end of last season.

That proved to be the case again in Wednesday night’s 103-100 loss to the Washington Wizards at AmericanAirlines Arena, in a season that has seen the Heat go 2-5 in games decided by four or fewer points.

Among the issues Wednesday was bypassing having Duncan Robinson on the floor for the final possession with the Heat down three.

“Yeah, I easily could have,” coach Erik Spoelstra said. “I felt that that group had a little bit of sweat and rhythm right there. The trigger was going to Tyler [Herro] at that point. But I can review it and analyze it again.”

Robinson is shooting .414 on 3-pointers this season, compared to Herro’s .325.

There also, for the second consecutive game, was a decision to play in transition on a crucial possession late in the fourth-quarter rather than call a timeout.

“Obviously, Coach gets paid to make those decisions and he’s very good at making those decisions, so that’s why he gets paid to do that,” said center Bam Adebayo, with the Heat again to play the visiting Wizards on Friday night.

A look back at closing time over the past week:

Monday, lose 129-121 in overtime to Charlotte: Before the lopsided 16-8 overtime, the Heat yield a tying 3-pointer to Malik Monk with 16.6 seconds to play in the fourth quarter and then elect to play on without a timeout.

Jimmy Butler then dribbles out almost the entire balance of the clock, missing a 3-pointer with two-tenths of a second remaining in regulation, having yet to convert a 3-pointer this season, currently 0 for 13.

Saturday, win 105-104 against Sacramento: Up 105-104, the Heat are called for a 24-second violation with 4.6 seconds to play when a Robinson 3-point attempt fails to hit the rim.

The Heat hold on when De’Aaron Fox is unable to get the ball on the ensuing Kings inbound play to a wide-open Buddy Hield at the 3-point line, with Hield already having converted six 3-pointers.

Early returns

Butler and Adebayo stand fifth and sixth, respectively, in Thursday’s initial tabulation of fan voting for All-Star Game starters among Eastern Conference frontcourt players.

Voting by fans, media and players will determine the starters, with the top three frontcourt and top two backcourt vote-getters in each conference to be named starters for what now is expected to be a March 7 All-Star Game in Atlanta.

No Heat backcourt players were in the Eastern Conference Top 10 in Thursday’s initial release of fan voting.

Ailing again

Avery Bradley’s run of misfortune continued in Wednesday night’s loss, with the veteran guard sidelined after the third quarter with a strained right calf. He has been ruled out for Friday.

It was Bradley’s second game back after missing the previous two due to a bruised right knee. He also had missed eight games in late January due to a positive COVID19 result, having gone since Jan. 9 without appearing in more than two consecutive games.

The Heat also again have ruled out Meyers Leonard (shoulder), Chris Silva (hip) and Moe Harkless (thigh).