Heat Winning Streak Building Momentum Towards Record of 33
On Friday night, the Miami Heat won their 25th consecutive game over the Detroit Pistons. The win put the Heat just 8 games shy of the longest consecutive winning streak in the NBA of 33 games held by the Los Angeles Lakers 0f 1971-1972.
The pressure is starting to increase more and more as Miami gets closer and closer to the Lakers record. Many players and even Head Coach Eric Spoelstra denied the team talked about the streak earlier, but there is no way of avoiding it at this point. Miami is in rarified air and there is no getting around the streak issue now.
Instead of talking too much about the next game or the 25 prior wins, the stars on the Heat spoke of two formers Lakers who said Miami could set a new record.
LeBron James led the Heat Friday night with 28 points, 8 assists and 8 rebounds. However, instead of talking about his exploits on the night, he spoke about how good it felt and how much he appreciated the encouragement that former Lakers Elgin Baylor and Jerry West gave the team as it draws closer to the Lakers record set 41 years ago.
James said he appreciated how such talented former players like West, who helped the Lakers set the record are pulling for the Heat to now break it. Unlike the Miami Dolphins 1972 team, whose players each NFL season cheer and throw a party when the last undefeated team in the league loses so their now 41-year record stays intact.
Baylor retired the year before the Lakers set the record of 33 consecutive wins. He said earlier in the week that the tenacity and toughness of the Heat during their winning streak has been very good and he is enjoying watching them make their run toward the record.
Miami will attempt to record No. 26 on Sunday against Charlotte at home, before heading out on a road trip of four games against Orlando, New Orleans, San Antonio and Chicago.
If Miami wins Sunday and then all four on the road, they return home to play New York, travel to Charlotte and then back to Miami for a game to potentially tie the record versus Philadelphia. If they reach 33, their opponent to break the record would be the Milwaukee Bucks at home in Miami.
The Heat should win Sunday versus Charlotte and should win at Orlando the next game. However, on the road against Chicago will be tough and in San Antonio even tougher.
West helped the Lakers to a season of 69 wins and a title in 1971-1972. He spoke very highly of the unselfish play of James. He also spoke about how the record for the Heat has been about the team and not about any one individual player. West feels the Heat have a good chance of setting a new record.
Miami would love to win at least 34 straight games to set a new record, but knows the ultimate goal is to become a repeat champion at the end of the season, in the NBA Finals. The Heat’s streak will not mean as much to them, if they come up short in the Finals.
