‘There’s Fate To It,’ Heat coach Erik Spoelstra analyzes his team’s loss to the New York Knicks.

The Miami Heat’s collapse against the New York Knicks on Friday night left many wondering what went wrong.

Heat coach Erik Spoelstra blamed the loss on a lack of effort after the team had built a double-digit lead that faded in the final period. However, he claimed that the lead was dwindling even before the fourth quarter began.

“I think it was even before then,” Spoelstra stated. “By the end of the third quarter, we were up 20 points or more.” Turnovers and a horrible shot, we didn’t get back on defense, and then it’s a Quickley three and another three, and it’s suddenly 13-point game. We had the option to take it to 25, like we did the other night, and it had karma. We were quite careless.”

Jimmy Butler had a questionable shot at the end that many felt was rushed or poorly placed. However, Spoelstra defended Butler, and even said he wished the offense was that fast-paced all night.

“That’s fine with me,” Spoelstra added. “I like that scramble situation; that’s what we discussed doing.” We tried to set up a few too many times in the fourth quarter, in my opinion. We slowed down, allowing their defense to pack and force us into late-game circumstances. I wish we had more scenarios like this where we could get the ball into Jimmy’s hands in 4-5 seconds. Or someone else, but at a far faster rate. That’s our kryptonite when we start walking into our offense in the fourth quarter.”

The Heat play the Brooklyn Nets (6-8) Saturday night.