Erik Spoelstra admits the Cavs’ awful playoff run has sparked a new offense

MIAMI – With The Miami Heat’s new fast-paced offense brings out the best of everyone on the team, it hasn’t always been this way, especially when looking at the franchise’s postseason performance. Although it is The Heat offense looks improved nowwhat helped the team evolve on that side of the ball came because of the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Miami went through a lot of drama off the court, especially with Jimmy Butler, but the production was middling, and the team once again had a slow offense in terms of pace and efficiency. Although there was some momentum going into the playoffs as the 10th seed, the team would be swept by Cleveland in the first round of the playoffs, a series that included the last two games, where they lost by 37 and 55 points, respectively, both games at home.

And that point, a change was needed.

“It was very humbling, it was embarrassing,” Spoelstra said before Monday’s rematch against the Cavaliers. “But we felt like we did a lot to be proud of just to get into the playoffs, to be able to deal with a lot of adversity … So we felt like we did some things to get some momentum going, and it kind of came down to reality pretty quickly.”

“They outplayed us in a lot of different ways,” Spoelstra continued. “You know, the first game, if we could have won that game, maybe things you know might feel different, but when you get beat all over and then you have months to think about things, hopefully you better come up with, you know, some solutions. And it’s not just about that. We want to do some things that make sense for our roster.”

When asked if the Cavs’ playoff run was the spark to change the offense, Spo would say “of course.”

Spo later expanded on this:

“When you get beat up all over and then have months to think things over, hopefully you’d better come up with some solutions…” #HeatNation pic.twitter.com/781orvP8Hu

— Zachary Weinberger (@ZachWeinberger) November 10, 2025

Warmth Erik Spoelstra about the “enjoyment of competition” Cavalier

I’m coming from the Heat’s win over the Portland Trail Blazers on saturday night, it was another display of how the offense has changed as they entered monday leading the nba with 106.95 possessions per 48 minutes. Plus, Miami is averaging 124.1 points per game, good for second in the league, a far cry from the past few seasons.

Last season was still a toss-up, with the Heat riding a 10-game losing streak and coming even close shortly after going on a 10-game winning streak. Especially winning both road games in a playoff tournament to make the playoffs feel good, but it fell apart, as Spoelstra said.

However, the past is the past, and Spoelstra is more focused on the upcoming two games at home against Cleveland, they are looking for a team to build on their recent outings.

“We’re just focused on enjoying the competition,” Spoelstra said. “It’s not necessarily about, you know, the playoffs last year, but you know, we have a lot of respect for them and what they’ve been able to do. And we’ve earned the opportunity, you know, for this to have a game that seems to make sense. When you win some games, that’s what happens, and that’s what you want.”

Erik Spoelstra on facing the Cavs after beating him in the playoffs last season: #HeatNation

“We’re just focused on enjoying the competition. It’s not necessarily about the playoffs last year.” pic.twitter.com/r7vo7meV0s

— Zachary Weinberger (@ZachWeinberger) November 10, 2025

Either way, Miami is 6-4 heading into Monday’s game against the Cavaliers, as depending on what happens in that contest, the two teams meet once again on Wednesday. It remains to be seen if star Bam Adebayo will return on Wednesday, as he will miss his third straight game on Monday with a toe injury.