MIAMI — For those tiring of the Miami Heat’s hamster wheel of mediocrity, to those who insist in stepping back to step forward, there is one undeniable pathway to lottery riches: only play the third quarter. Because when it comes to how Erik Spoelstra’s team has looked in the 12 minutes after halftime this season, the numbers have the Heat at lottery level. To wit, with yet another third-quarter collapse in Wednesday night’s 133-124 loss to the Orlando Magic at Kaseya Center, the Heat went into Thursday night’s game against the Chicago Bulls at the United Center: — 25th in the NBA in third-quarter net rating. — 28th in the NBA in third-quarter offensive rating. — 19th...
