Spurs and Magic Put on Clinics for the Heat: 3 Lessons Miami Needs to Learn

LeBron James and the Heat blew a 24-point lead at home on Thursday, and lost to the Magic by three.

On Friday, Miami spotted the Spurs a 24-point first quarter lead in San Antonio, and were blown out by 30.

It's hard to imagine how the Heat could play much worse than they have in the last game-and-a-half.

And Miami is facing a daunting stretch of games where they will face the following schedule:

Since the Magic and Spurs put on clinics, here are three lessons the Heat need to learn fast:

Lesson No. 1: Must Defend the Three-Point Line

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SAN ANTONIO, TX - MARCH 04: Forward Matt Bonner #15 of the San Antonio Spurs takes a three point shot against the Miami Heat at AT&T Center on March 4, 2011 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloadin

On Thursday, the Magic hit 16-29 (.552) from beyond the arc.

On Friday, the Spurs hit 17-28 (.607) on their three-pointers.

San Antonio's 17 three-pointers (including eight in the first quarter) was a franchise-record.

Six different San Antonio players hit a shot from down-town, with Matt Bonner (6-for-7 on three-point FGs) leading the way.

It's hard to give up so many open looks to any team without it hurting you—especially against teams like the Magic and Spurs who can bury those shots.

Lesson No. 2: Can't Let Your Opponents Go on Long Runs

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SAN ANTONIO, TX - MARCH 04: Guard Manu Ginobili #20 of the San Antonio Spurs drives the lane against Chris Bosh #1 of the Miami Heat at AT&T Center on March 4, 2011 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by do

Down by two dozen in the third quarter, the Magic went on an unbelievable 40-9 run.

The Spurs opened up on Friday by outscoring the Heat 36-12 in the first quarter. If it's at the beginning of the game, is it a run?

Times of such one-sided play are not only difficult for a team on the scoreboard, but they are demoralizing to a team the longer they continue.

In spite of all of the Heat's confidence and swagger, they are just as susceptible to the impact of "the killer run."

Lesson No. 3: Have to Get Offensive Production from More Than Miami Thrice

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MIAMI, FL - FEBRUARY 27: Mike Miller #13 of the Miami Heat looks on during a game gainst the New York Knicks at American Airlines Arena on February 27, 2011 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/o

Against the Magic, no player, outside of James, Wade and Bosh, scored in double-figures. The Heat bench only scored 11 points.

Against the Spurs, Mike Miller (pictured: 12 pts.) was the only Heat player besides LeBron, Dwyane and C-Bosh who scored in double-figures.

Sure, it's nice for Miami Thrice to score 70 points a night, but the Heat still need other players to consistently step up and score points.