Heat hit long road trip with new offensive look

MIAMI -- The Miami Heat, off to the first 4-0 home start in franchise history, is 4-1 overall and set to embark on a six-game road trip that will test the team's new-found strategy. The Heat, which will make stops in Atlanta, Memphis, Houston, Los Angeles (Clippers), Denver and Phoenix, is a rare defending NBA champion that has abandoned some of what worked for them in earning the title. Defense, in large part, is what won the title for the Heat last year. Yet the team added shooters Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis as their main offseason acquisitions. And their minutes have come at the expense of more defensive-minded players. Heat Coach Erik Spoelstra, though, is confident in the direction of his team. "The more talent and skill you have, the more creative you can be," Spoelstra said. "We've challenged our guys to be efficient. There is no need with this group to force contested shots." When a reporter asked Spoelstra about "metaphysics"...