With the streak over the Miami Heat can now focus on doing what it takes to win another championship. First they'll have to defeat the New Orleans Hornets on the road Friday night at 8 p.m. ET.
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Via ESPN:
Miami (56-15) had its run of 27 consecutive wins snapped with a 101-97 defeat in Chicago on Wednesday but hardly seemed downtrodden. The Heat came closer than any other team to matching the 1971-72 Los Angeles Lakers' NBA-record 33-game run.
"It was a heck of an experience for all of us to have together. We took a moment to acknowledge it (after the game) and acknowledge each other, but it was never about the streak. We have a bigger goal," coach Erik Spoelstra said.
The Heat can put themselves in a stronger position for another championship run with a victory against lowly New Orleans (25-47) or a New York loss to visiting Charlotte on Friday. Miami finished second in the East last season before capturing the second title in franchise history, but is currently two games ahead of San Antonio for the NBA's best record.
"The streak wasn't important to us. What's important to us is winning the title. That's what we work on. That's what we're here for," center Chris Bosh said.
The Heat have earned No. 1 seeds twice in their history, in the 1998-99 lockout-shortened season and in 2004-05. They didn't win an NBA title either time, and were eliminated by New York in the first round in 1999.
