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Heat Coach Spoelstra Given Contract Extension

MIAMI (CBSMiami) - As the Miami Heat prepares to chase a championship when the new season begins Christmas day, they have one less distraction to deal with. Their coach will be around beyond the end of this season, thanks to a contract extension granted by the team.

The extension was confirmed Friday by Heat president Pat Riley, but no terms of the deal were made public.

Spoelstra, who has a long history with the Heat before winning the head coaching job, was believed to be in the last year of a multi year contract. He's entering his 4th year as head coach.

Spoelstra has spent nearly two decades with the Heat, with Riley saying Friday that "he's part of the family." Riley picked him to helm the team after he ended his hall-of-fame career on the sidelines.

Earlier this week, Spoelstra said he did not expect his contract status to be a distraction for Miami, The team begins it's season on Christmas day, with a match-up against the Dallas Mavericks. Miami lost to Dallas in last year's NBA Finals.

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