The NBA doldrums tend to run from Christmas through the All-Star break, the league seemingly only awakening at the NBA trade deadline, which is Thursday, and in that case it most reinvigorates front offices.

To forward Jimmy Butler, that is where the Heat seemingly stand, coming off a 1-3 trip, with Wednesday night’s game against the Indiana Pacers at Miami-Dade Arena up next.

“I feel like the whole league right now is in a little rut/funk and everybody’s kind of like right there when it comes to records or lapses, which is not what we want to do,” Butler said. “We’re not even talking about before the break. We’re talking about win every game, we’ll be in good shape.”

That is the immediate goal, particularly with the next three being against the Pacers (25-30), Houston Rockets (13-40) and Orlando Magic (22-32). Of course, the 29-25 Heat also have managed to lose this season to the likes of the Charlotte Hornets, San Antonio Spurs and Detroit Pistons this season.

“I think we take all games seriously,” Butler said. “I think we have lapses at times. It just so happens to be of teams that records are lesser, but that doesn’t say anything about their talent. It doesn’t say anything about how hard they play. That’s who we are, as of right now.

“Can we change? Yes. Should we change it? Yes. Are we going to? I say yes. But we’ve got to figure that out before the real time gets here.”

The Heat enters Wednesday’s game 17-9 at home, 12-16 on the road, with three of their next four at home, before they play four in a row on the road.

“We just got to take care of business at home,” guard Tyler Herro said. “The road’s never easy. We get home, play some teams that we’re capable of beating. Got to bring our A game and take care of business.”

Subtle gain

While he might never come to be considered a stopper, at least by the numbers, Herro is making strides.

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