It wasn’t necessarily a full-fledged identity crisis.

The defending champion Miami Heat knew exactly who they were amidst those early December doldrums. They just didn’t always apply the effort and focus each night to match the lofty standards they set toward the end of last season.

But after watching his team win its fourth straight game Saturday by a double-digit margin, fueled by steady doses of dominant defense, coach Erik Spoelstra feels the Heat are gradually regaining their championship characteristics.

“Now, it’s about consistency,” Spoelstra said of the Heat, who have won their last four games by a combined 72 points. “But at least we look like a Miami Heat basketball team, in terms of defending and being committed to that end and not just trying to outscore teams.”

Their play of late has been similar to what they displayed in the playoffs last season, when Spoelstra effectively adjusted his rotations. James was overwhelmingly efficient on both ends, and the Heat’s defense set the tone.

“We defend and then everything else takes care of itself,” James said. “That’s who we are.”

via Michael Wallace of ESPN.com