Beware the Midseason Jinx

Too short — and split up by the NBA’s annual All-Star weekend — February is a terrible time for basketball. It’s a 28-day full moon, pitted with slump and spontaneous team combustion. For proof, check out the Miami Heat. Before the month even began, our team had lost two of three. And the skid only got steeper. There was another blown game. Then a trip to Philly, where the Heat got a harsh 94-to-84 hazing from Eastern Conference enemies the Philadelphia 76ers. It was a defeat that virtually evened the two teams in the standings. So now, two weeks later, the inevitable Miami-Sixers rematch is upon us. And the hometown Heat needs you at American Airlines Arena to help break February’s curse, get revenge against Philly, and resume our climb through the playoff tree.
Sat., Feb. 21, 3:30 p.m., 2009