Nine games into Giannis Antetokounmpo’s first season with the Miami Heat, the team is 3-6 and ninth in the Eastern Conference. Questions about how Bam Adebayo fits next to Antetokounmpo have followed Miami through the opening weeks.

Heat coach Erik Spoelstra took up those questions in remarks that circulated Sunday, and he steered the conversation toward Miami’s defense. Miami has given up 138 and 120 points in its two losses so far on a five-game road trip.

Erik Spoelstra Speaks About Heat’s Struggles

The Heat acquired Antetokounmpo from the Milwaukee Bucks in an offseason trade, which put him next to Adebayo in Miami’s frontcourt.

Speaking about Adebayo, Spoelstra said: “We worked on trying to get him in spots he can feel comfortable and more aggressive… We’re working on guys feeling comfortable playing with Giannis. He draws so much attention.”

Then he drew a line between that work and the conversation around it: “And yet, I just absolutely hate those discussions right now. We’re losing games because of our defense. That has to be our 1st, 2nd, and 3rd priorities. Everything else we’ll start to make some progress.”

Adebayo and Antetokounmpo have accounted for 146 of Miami’s 334 points on the trip. Antetokounmpo averaged 25.7 points and 13.3 rebounds over the three games, and Adebayo averaged 23 points and 9.7 rebounds, with a 35-point night on 14-of-20 shooting in the trip’s only win.

Spoelstra’s focus on defense comes after a stretch in which Miami allowed 374 points over the first three games of the trip, an average of 124.7. One of those games went to overtime. In those games, opponents shot 52.5% from the field and 40.2% from the 3-point range, and they scored 59 points off the Heat’s 53 turnovers.

Opponents scored 150 points in the paint over those three games, an average of 50, and added 44 fast-break points while assisting on 105 of their 136 field goals.

The Los Angeles Lakers scored 79 points in the first half of a 138-117 win on November 2 and led by as many as 24. They shot 57%, made 19 of 43 3-pointers, scored 60 points in the paint, and finished with 39 assists.

Luka Dončić had 42 points on 14-of-24 shooting and 13 assists, and Austin Reaves added 27 on 10-of-15. Miami shot 51% and still lost by 21, falling to 2-5.

Two nights later, the Heat beat the LA Clippers 117-116 in overtime to move to 3-5, though the Clippers led by as many as 20, shot 48% and made 16 of 43 3-pointers. They outscored Miami 43-19 in the second quarter. Darius Garland scored 26 points on 10-of-14 shooting, Rui Hachimura added 21, and Brook Lopez had 20.

The Golden State Warriors pulled away the next night. The game was tied 53-53 at halftime before the Warriors outscored Miami 38-23 in the third quarter and went on to win 120-100, which dropped the Heat to 3-6.

Golden State shot 53%, scored 50 points in the paint and 21 on fast breaks, and turned Miami’s 22 turnovers into 28 points. Stephen Curry had 29 points and made 6 of 12 3-pointers in 28 minutes. Miami’s own shooting also fell to 41% that night, and it made 13 of 44 3-pointers.

The Heat play the Kings at Golden 1 Center on Sunday night, their first game since Spoelstra’s remarks circulated.