Erik Spoelstra speaks on Bam Adebayo’s back soreness as the Miami Heat continue to struggle during late December.

Heading into the fourth game of this five game homestand, the Heat and Hawks entered in very similar circumstances. Both teams enjoyed a solid start to the season but have been reeling of late; both teams now hover around .

For Pelle Larsson, there is only one speed. Even when the second-year Miami Heat guard was out of view, it was still a matter of life in the fast lane.

Erik Spoelstra’s sideline meltdown captured Miami Heat’s December collapse as missed fast breaks summed up a frustrating stretch.

It didn’t take long for the Miami Heat duo of forward Nikola Jovic and guard Pelle Larsson to make their presence felt in their returns. After missing four straight games because of a right elbow contusion/laceration, Jovic returned to play 21 minutes off the bench in the Heat’s 126-111 win over the Hawks in Atlanta on Friday night.

The Miami Heat lost 112-91 to the Toronto Raptors. Head Coach Erik Spoelstra had no answers for his team's performance.

Losing provides no rewards, but reality can. That makes this a December the Miami Heat should remember. Because sometimes objects aren’t closer than they appear.

Miami Heat face a fresh injury concern ahead of their matchup against the Atlanta Hawks, adding pressure to an already challenging stretch.

The Miami Heat's injury report from December 25 has center Bam Adebayo listed as day-to-day with lower back soreness.

After a mixed bag of results out of the gate, the Raptors and Heat discovered their rhythm around the back-end of the first leg of the season-long NBA race. Toronto surged to 14-5 on the heels of a nine-game winning streak, while Miami won six consecutive games to catapult to 13-6.

If Giannis Antetokounmpo were to seek a midseason exit, the Miami Heat are believed to possess the most attractive trade package.