This is how it’s done, Miami.

When you have a 24 point lead, you don’t lay back and just try to run out the clock. You push harder.

This is the lesson the Heat must learn after trying to find something positive to grab on to after this blowout loss. The Heat suffered its worst loss of the season, 125-95 – a 30 point embarrassment – to the team with the best record in the NBA. Most may be reluctant to claim the Spurs to be the best in the league, but after last night’s impressive win that may begin to change.

The Spurs have been able to tinker with their roster a bit and add more athleticism. At first, the Spurs tried to get to the Heat early by running at them hard and fast. Seeing as the Heat may be a bit demoralized after losing to the Magic and blowing their 24 point lead, and being on the end of a back to back, the Spurs tried to give the Heat a taste of their own medicine – and were successful. The Heat never could bridge the gap.

For the Heat, it is their 2nd loss in as many nights and will certainly draw more scrutiny from the media which is unbalanced in its view of this team. Win a game -  you’re supposed to win and beat inferior teams. Lose a game, and there’s a crisis that needs to be resolved. Yet, this is the identity of this team now – when you had the draw of free agents the Heat had this past summer, it comes with the territory. Say what you will, this team understands that and will not crack under the pressure. That is one of the great intangibles of this team – they expect the boos, and in a way thrive on it. Can they continue to be even-keeled when the losses mount? That is really what this current stretch is about.

So, they have 2 losses in this tough ten game stretch. Going 5-5 may satiate the doubters, but most likely not. Nor should it, this team was built for one reason and that is to hoist hardware. The Heat also know this. But like every champion in this league, there has to be an educational process. Erik Spoelstra keeps reiterating this over and over and to be fair, there is a learning curve for him, too, as he is only in his 2nd season at the helm of this team. Although this is a talented roster, there are few in this league that can say they have ever coached in a situation like this, too.

Should there be reservations about the Heat’s progress? Yes. Should expectation be tailored? No. So, what should be taken from this 30 point blowout loss? A template on how to win. Analyze this game, study it. Print it out and carry it around in a binder and make notes. The Heat should examine this because it is going to get a whole lot worse before it gets better. Face it, the Heat play lazy basketball for long stretches. The Spurs showed them that you can’t against any opponent. Even on nights when you are taking on the bottom feeders, you have to stick to your game plan and work so that you can perfect it. That way, when you get into matches against the big boys. you are executing because it is second nature. The Heat haven’t gotten there yet. Frankly, how could they? This team is still brand new and trying to work out the kinks.

What’s scary is, the Heat know this. They understand that this isn’t going to come together overnight. They may look confident and perhaps even arrogant. And maybe, just maybe, they didn’t believe that it would be this hard. Until now.