​Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn ImagesHeat news: Erik Spoelstra shares FIBA takeaway after watching Miami players go at it appeared first on ClutchPoints. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here.Having a FIBA World Cup qualifying window in the middle of the NBA offseason can provide a major boost for some teams looking to cement their place in Qatar in 2027. For Italy and Serbia, they got reinforcements in the form of Simone Fontecchio and Nikola Jovic, respectively. In fact, Italy and Serbia faced off against each other in this window — much to the interest of Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra.Spoelstra could not be any happier to see Fontecchio and Jovic represent their countries, as he encourages his players to join their national teams when they’re available to do so. This sets them up quite nicely for the season ahead, as there is no real substitute for playing in competitive hoops.“The level and the intensity of these games is terrific. We always encourage our guys to play for their countries. One because it’s the passion and the excitement around it, but also it prepares you for an NBA season better than anything else,” Spoelstra said, per Ira Winderman of The South Florida Sun Sentinel.Watch sports LIVE with fuboTV (free trial)In the end, it was Serbia that got the upper hand over Italy, 76-64, with Jovic getting the bragging rights over Fontecchio this time around. Both of them did not have very good games, however. Fontecchio struggled from the field to the tune of 3-10 shooting, while Jovic scored just five points in nearly 12 minutes of play.Both Serbia and Italy are currently in position to qualify for the FIBA World Cup in 2027. The top three teams for each group will qualify for Qatar, and as long as their place in the standings holds, both Fontecchio and Jovic will be back in the grandest stage of international competitive basketball.The Heat will need these two forwards to produce next season, considering that their depth isn’t the best following their blockbuster trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo.Related: Filipino star gets possible Heat lifeline after strong FIBA showingRelated: Reporter shares intriguing take on Erik Spoelstra’s coaching future