HOT HEAT
The Miami Heat are on the verge of breaking history. 24 consequtive wins gives Miami the 2nd best streak of it's kind. The record is currently held by the '72 Lakers who went 33 games without a loss. On that historic team, was Jerry West.
“If they would break it, it would be a wonderful story,” West stated. He wouldn't be disappointed if the Heat did surpass the mark that he and his teammates set in '72 though; at least that's what he says.
Wilt Chamberlain was also on that team. “Wilt wouldn’t like what they’re doing, not at all,” said Jim McMillian, who was 3rd in scoring on the 1972 Lakers squad.
I don't think I would be a big fan of the Heat's success if I had been a member of the '72 Lakers either. I would be praying to God at night that the Heat would lose before they got to the 33rd game. I wasn't on that team though, and as a sports fan I am rooting hard for them to set the record since I love the history behind it.
The Heat's schedule is easy until what would be the 28th game when they play the Bulls in Chicago. If they win that game, what would be games 30 and 31 are in San Antonio and then vs. the New York Knicks.
So, with just three games left on the schedule that I see as potential streak busters, I would say the Heat have a decent shot at the record. It all depends on how much they want it in my mind. If they reach 33, I do not think it would go much farther as what would be games 36 and 37 are against conference rivals Boston Celtics and Chicago Bulls, who would each love nothing more than to end their wild run.
I think the '72 Lakers are remembered as such a great team not because of the streak by itself, but because they finished the season off with a Championship. The Heat would need to do that to cement their legacy this season as one of the greatest teams in NBA history. Some people say that the record wouldn't matter at all if they didn't complete the season hoisting the trophy. I don't agree with that, because it still is quite an accomplishment. I don't think the Heat will have a very hard time winning the Finals anyway.
LeBron said that he and the Heat are aware of the streak and how many more wins they would need, but they aren't fighting for it. I think that is bogus also. If I were this close to such a monumental record, it would be all I could think about. Maybe that is why I am not a professional athlete.
Just for the record, I am going to predict that the Heat end their streak at 37, when my Bulls would end it in Miami. That's good enough for the record books though.