Erik Spoelstra wants to see a collective "grit" from the Miami Heat players

The Miami Heat are still having a rollercoaster of a season because after their long winning streak, they are now on a four-game losing streak. Head coach Erik Spoelstra wants this team to perform better, especially when they play against high-energy teams.

During Saturday's loss to the Houston Rockets, they were playing against a team filled with athletic players like Tari Eason and Amen Thompson, who hit the game-winning putback. Spoelstra wants his players to be more competitive against every team and match what they are facing.

Spoelstra demands more "grit" from the Heat

The Heat was on the way to a win against the Rockets, as they held a 10-point lead. Unfortunately, the Heat let go of the rope and lost their hold on the game. In the fourth quarter, the Rockets out-scored the Heat 36-26, which was the key difference in the game. 

Spoelstra was not a big fan of what transpired during the game because he felt the Rockets out-worked the Heat. This was most evident during the last player when Thompson scored the game-winning putback because the Heat could have rebounded the ball.

MORE: Spoelstra wants the Heat to keep seizing the moment during their recent winning streak

Tyler Herro had the Thompson matchup, but the latter managed to squeeze his way through traffic and get the putback. If the Heat were more focused on getting the rebound, they could have snapped their three-game losing streak.

Unfortunately, that losing streak has been extended to four now. This has led to Spoelstra himself showing his desire for what the Heat needs to go through in the short-term future.

"When you say you have to develop some grit, you have to go through it. There are consequences. When you feel these kinds of emotions and feel like every possession does matter. Part of the grit is that you have to go through some pain. We're going through some pain right now, and that's going to make us better," Spoelstra said about what his team is going through to be a better squad.

He knows the players are struggling, but he also knows that they have to take charge. It is challenging to keep up with most teams in the league, but the Heat have to put in an effort to remain competitive becuase they could slip in the Eastern Conference standings.

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