Erik Spoelstra reveals how Heat ‘grew a lot’ after West Coast road trip

Erik Spoelstra reveals how Heat ‘grew a lot’ after West Coast road trip appeared first on ClutchPoints . Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here . While the center of attention around the Miami Heat revolves around Giannis Antetokounmpo and comments from his former Milwaukee Bucks head coach, Doc Rivers, the main focus of the star and team is building on their current level of play. As the Heat’s early-season struggles are well-documented , head coach Erik Spoelstra would speak after the team’s 115-109 win over the Utah Jazz on Tuesday about where the team is improving. With Miami winning the last two games, it puts them at 5-6 on the season and 3-2 in the last five games, which all came as part of a five-game road trip on the West Coast. It was another grueling game for the Heat, as they shot 39 percent from the field and 29 percent from deep, but the team made strides on defense, holding the opposition to just under 110, as Spoelstra emphasizes how much they “grew a lot” during the road trip. Watch sports LIVE with fuboTV (free trial) “We grew a lot on this road trip…I’m more encouraged about some of the things that I saw defensively,” Spoelstra said. In the win over Utah, Antetokounmpo recorded 30 points, 11 rebounds, and four assists, while Davion Mitchell had 19 points and eight assists, plus Bam Adebayo finished with 11 points, eight rebounds, four assists, three steals, and two blocks. Relegated to the bench for the last two games, Andrew Wiggins had 13 points, Defense has been improving for the Heat, but still needs to be better  Defense is where the franchise has hanged their hats in, and it’s no different led by Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo, but the team is 25th in defensive rating so far this season. However, with the team winning five of its last seven games, the team has given up 109.9 points per 100 possessions, which is better than the 120.9 per 100 possessions in the losses. It was a slow start for the Heat with the 0-4 start, but there have been improvements, as the team looks to take advantage of the upcoming five-game home stand, though it’s tough sledding as they take on the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday. Related: Heat star Giannis Antetokounmpo clearly doesn’t give a damn about Doc Rivers’ alleged text apology Related: Kevin Garnett puts Bam Adebayo on blast by wondering what the hell he worked on in offseason