Like the Mavericks last year, the Heat enter the offseason with questions. They weren’t a great team, but good enough to win the title, especially defensively. They capitalized on the Thunder’s immaturity and inexperience. While Oklahoma City players such as James Harden and Russell Westbrook enjoyed the South Beach nightlife during the series, the Heat appeared more focused on winning.

Repeating as champions is the most difficult thing to do in sports, more difficult than winning the first. Although Miami has received its opponents’ best games during the Big Three’s two seasons, that will only intensify next season. And the Heat were able to avoid major injuries during the regular season, and made due when Bosh missed nine games during the playoffs.

Miami coach Erik Spoelstra fully expects similar pressure next season.

“Do you think [having no pressure will] actually happen?’’ he said after Thursday’s clincher. “Who knows what to expect, you know, with the story lines next year? But I don’t think we’ll be able to dodge them completely.’’

It’s difficult to believe the Heat will return with the same passion and good health (mostly) they had this season, just like it was predictable that the Celtics experienced an injury-plagued season with a veteran team rushed into training camp because of a lockout.

President of basketball operations Danny Ainge has been preparing the team for one more run, and Doc Rivers even said during the Miami series, “I want to beat these guys.’’

“We’ll always remember that we had a chance in Game 6 and Game 7 to beat a really good team,’’ Ainge said. “That will always be frustrating because it was so close. I do feel proud of the team. I thought Doc did a wonderful job of coaching this group of guys. I thought they did a great job of hanging in there and fighting through a lot of adversity and they showed me a lot of what they’re made of.

“I feel we have a chance again next year.’’