Winderman’s view: For Erik Spoelstra, faith in Heat spirit, drive never wavered

CHICAGO — Observations and other notes of interest from Wednesday night’s 109-90 NBA play-in victory over the Chicago Bulls:

– This was even before win-or-go home.

– It also was before the fate of the season hung in the balance.

– This was during his pregame media session when Heat coach Erik Spoelstra paused to make one thing clear about those he was about to move forward with.

– They had earned his respect.

– On a night when emotion would be elevated and stakes would be extreme, Spoelstra took a moment before fate would determine what was next to look back at the tumult that had delivered the Heat to this play-in moment.

– “I’ve really enjoyed this team, coaching this team, working with this team, coming together to face some uncomfortable moments and adversity,” he said. “I do believe that there’s been benefit for this, collectively persevering.”

– He added, “You have an opportunity to grow closer together, which is what happened with that 10-game losing streak. This team did not fold, instead it developed more resolve to try to figure this out. And in it, became in the meantime a much better team. We started playing our best basketball at the end of the season and that’s what I think we can all feel a sense of collective pride about.”

– He closed with, “Because it took every single one of us just pouring into the team and pouring into the solutions.”

–  Bulls coach Billy Donovan went in stressing the roster turnover since the teams’ previous two play-in games.

– “I think the teams are different,” he said. “It’s not the same teams. I just think the circumstances are totally different.”

– The prove to be very, very much the case from the Bulls’ 3-0 regular-season sweep.

– The Heat stayed with their season-closing primary lineup of Kel’el Ware, Bam Adebayo, Andrew Wiggins, Tyler Herro and Alec Burks.

– Adebayo opened defensively on Josh Giddey.

– Which had Wiggins defending Coby White.

– Spoelstra then had to alter his rotation when Ware was called for his second foul with 6:48 remaining in the opening period.

– That had Haywood Highsmith entering and took Adebayo off Giddey.

– Davion Mitchell was second off the Heat bench.

–  With Duncan Robinson following for eight deep.

– And then Kyle Anderson as the fourth reserve.

– Even with all of those other substitutions, Ware was back in with his two fouls before the close of the opening period.

– It was a heartening night on so many levels.

– Herro stepped up to the moment.

– Adebayo stabilized.

– Wiggins showed flashes of what the Heat will need even more of if they make the playoffs.

– Ware played through his foul trouble.

– Mitchell mixed in enough good to offset some bad.

– Anderson showed how his veteran presence matters.

– Caleb Williams was among those sitting courtside.