Heat's Erik Spoelstra - Play-in best thing for NBA in past decade - ESPN

BOSTON — As the No. 8-seeded Miami Heat continue their torrid run through the Eastern Conference playoffs, coach Erik Spoelstra reiterated Thursday just how important he felt the regular season was in forming the mental toughness that has helped steer the Heat to within three games of another NBA Finals appearance.

In the midst of his description, Spoelstra made another important note regarding the NBA's play-in tournament.

«I do know the play-in helped,» Spoelstra said Thursday. «There are far less teams tanking. Everyone was fighting for it those last two months. Every game was must-see TV and that was in both conferences. So I think [for] the league, that's probably the best thing that's happened in the last decade.»

The Heat, who took a 1-0 lead over the Boston Celtics after a 123-116 Game 1 victory Wednesday night, became the first play-in team to ever win a playoff series after defeating the No. 1-seeded Milwaukee Bucks in the first round. The Los Angeles Lakers, who earned a spot in the Western Conference finals, became the second after knocking off the No. 2-seeded Memphis Grizzlies in the first round.

Spoelstra, who has been open about how much the up-and-down regular season helped prepare his team, believes that the Heat wouldn't be in this situation without going through all the struggles they endured.

«It was a blessing to be able to go through all of that,» Spoelstra said. «I have not been part of a regular season like that, and I think we all grew and got better from it. To not let it collapse our spirit, but really to harden us, and steel us and bring us closer together and develop that kind of grit and perseverance that's needed in the postseason.»

After compiling a 44-38 regular-season record, the Heat