heat check

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heat check (plural heat checks)

1. (basketball) A difficult or risky shot attempted by a player who has made several consecutive successful shots, aiming to test whether they can maintain their streak.
   • 2022 February 2, C.J. Holmes, “NBA 75: Great shooting is an art form, but it takes time and work to forge”, in The Athletic‎^[1]:

     Great shooters have a short memory. Regardless of how many shots they might miss in a game, they step into the next one like it’s a heat check. It’s not just about makes and misses. It’s about an ability to make constant adjustments, staying confident in your technique and living with the results.

• heat checker