Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition

Reason to smile

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Tuesday marked the first time the Heat had won at home since Dec. 22. That made the morning after a bit different at AmericanAi­rlines Arena.

“Yeah, it felt a little bit different,” Spoelstra said. “We needed a win. I just really felt for the guys in the locker room, because I saw how much they put in all season, but particular­ly the road trip, really got better during the road trip, had some great sessions, some great moments during games, we just couldn’t get over the top, dealt with a lot of adversity, dealt with it the right way, not making excuses.

“But certainly to back that up with finally a W in the win column, that helps.”

Asked if he slept better after the elusive home victory, center

said, “I don’t sleep that much anyway, so nothing really changed for me.”

Actually, that’s what Spoelstra said he appreciate­d about his team, is that little has changed amid struggles, such as the 1-5 trip that ended with Friday’s loss in Milwaukee.

“The one thing I’ll say about this group is they’ve been able to come in every single day with a great approach,”

Whiteside Hassan

he said. “And I think that’s a really important, valuable lesson, not only for young players, but mid-veteran players, that if there’s an environmen­t, and you work together and just commit to that process, that things aren’t always going to go your way, but then eventually, hopefully you can get some breakthrou­ghs.” only be used to acquire a contract that expires at season’s end.

Mark

 ?? WILFREDO LEE/AP ?? Forward James Johnson, left, drives past Houston Rockets forward Trevor Ariza. Johnson had 18 assists in his last two games.
WILFREDO LEE/AP Forward James Johnson, left, drives past Houston Rockets forward Trevor Ariza. Johnson had 18 assists in his last two games.

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