Halfway through the season, the Miami Heat sit at 18-18, 6th in the Eastern Conference. With an early Covid-19 outbreak in the organization, multiple injuries, and disappointing play, the Heat have certainly played under expectation. But prior to the All-Star Break, Miami won 7 out of their last 8 games. Miami has also shown that they are Dark Horses AGAIN, after beating the Utah Jazz (27-9) and Los Angeles Lakers (24-13).
Competition
The Miami Heat currently sit at the 6th spot in the East, behind the 76ers (24-12), Nets (24-13), Bucks (22-14), Celtics (19-17), and Knicks (19-18).
So in order to finish top four in the East, Miami will have to play hard. The Knicks, who have been the most surprising team in the NBA thus far, have been lead by All-Star Julius Randle. New York is only a half-game ahead of Miami. The Boston Celtics, who have Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown (both All-Stars), are one game ahead of Miami, sitting at the fourth seed. So the Heat are not far away from the fourth seed, but will have to fight hard for it.
Mid-Season Report
Rankings:
Record: 18-18
6th in the Eastern Conference (1st in Southeast)
PPG: 106.8 (26th in NBA)
RPG: 42.4 (27th in NBA)
APG: 25.8 (10th in NBA)
OPP PPG: 108.4 (5th in NBA)
Team Leaders:
Points: Jimmy Butler (20.5 PPG)
Rebounds: Bam Adebayo (9.5 RPG)
Assists: Jimmy Butler (7.8 APG)
Steals: Jimmy Butler (1.9 SPG)
Blocks: Bam Adebayo (1.0 BPG)
Breakdown
Jimmy Butler
Halfway through the season, the NBA has already gotten a good idea of how Jimmy Butler’s played this season. Through 22 games played, Butler is averaging 20.5 PPG, 7.8 APG, 7.5 RPG, and 1.9 SPG. Butler’s presence has definitely been felt, with already four triple-doubles halfway through the season.
Bam Adebayo
Bam Adebayo, one of the biggest All-Star snubs this season, has averaged 19.2 PPG, 5.4 APG, and 9.5 RPG through 33 games played. Adebayo has had some terrific performances, but the Heat will need much more in order to compete with the top teams in the East.
Duncan Robinson and Tyler Herro
Miami’s two best three-point shooters haven’t performed like they did last year. Robinson (36 games) is only averaging 12.8 PPG, 1.6 APG, and 3.9 RPG, while Herro (25 games) is averaging 15.8 PPG, 3.6 APG, and 5.7 RPG. But during the All-Star break, both players get a chance to improve their shooting, and get back on track.