MIAMI _ This was about more than a head-to-head battle for the eighth and final playoff seed in the Eastern Conference.
This was about an essential first step for what comes next.
Because for the Miami Heat, even though it didn't look that way at times Sunday at AmericanAirlines Arena, this 93-75 victory over the Charlotte Hornets was the easy part.
Up next: road games this week against the Oklahoma City Thunder, San Antonio Spurs, Milwaukee Bucks and Washington Wizards.
To be followed in the dwindling days of the regular season by two games against the Boston Celtics and single games against the Toronto Raptors, Philadelphia 76ers, Brooklyn Nets and Bucks again.
"It's an opportunity to take on all challenges," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said.
It is why this one, as well as upcoming games against the Orlando Magic, Dallas Mavericks, New York Knicks and even Minnesota Timberwolves stand as so essential.
Because the greatest challenges remain, even as Sunday meant retaining hold on No. 8 in the East.
So the Heat dared any Hornet other than Kemba Walker to beat them, suffocating the All-Star point guard into submission on a 4-of-16 shooting day with a relentless series of traps.
"It's been something that the guys have really been working on," Spoelstra said of a smothering defensive effort that limited Charlotte t0 .313 shooting.
From there, the Heat put their ensemble approach to work, getting solid efforts from Goran Dragic (19 points), Dwyane Wade (17), Bam Adebayo (16) and others to put it away.
"Goran really got into a great rhythm," Spoelstra said.
Walker finished with 10 points.
