Miami finished last season strong, but is a lackluster 2-1 this season with its victories coming against probably lottery-bound Indiana and Atlanta. The Heat's loss occurred against Orlando.

Now the Heat face their strongest opponent by far - San Antonio. And the Heat have to play the Spurs without their best player, center Hassan Whiteside. He remains out with a left knee bruise. That's not Miami's only injury. Goran Dragic, the Heat's second-best player, has a bruised thigh and Dion Waiters has a sore ankle.

Oddsmakers are downgrading the Spurs because they don't have injured Kawhi Leonard and Tony Parker. San Antonio, though, has outstanding depth. LaMarcus Aldridge has handled the heavy lifting averaging 24.3 points, 9.3 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game. Dejounte Murray has filled in admirably well for Parker at point guard averaging 13.3 points, a team-high 9.7 rebounds and a team-high 4.7 assists. Parker would be hard-pressed to match those numbers.

San Antonio also has covered eight of the last nine meetings between the two clubs.