Miami Heat Drop Fifth Straight Game, Matching Last Season's Loss Total

The Heat lose 119-104 to the Clippers despite strong performances from Tyler Herro and Andrew Wiggins, as defensive struggles persist.

The Miami Heat suffered their fifth consecutive loss, falling to the Los Angeles Clippers 119-104, and have now matched last season's loss total with 17 games remaining.
Tyler Herro led the Heat with 31 points, while Andrew Wiggins contributed 22 points, but the team's defense failed to contain Clippers players Bogdan Bogdanović, Ivica Zubac, and James Harden, who combined for 80 points.
The Heat have now dropped to 29-36 and are 2.5 games behind Atlanta for the No. 7 spot in the Eastern Conference play-in standings.
Clippers center Ivica Zubac recorded his 10th consecutive double-double with 26 points and 14 rebounds, joining an elite group of players achieving this milestone this season.
The Heat face a challenging schedule ahead, with the Boston Celtics visiting on Friday and subsequent road games against the Memphis Grizzlies and New York Knicks.