The Miami Heat were expected to stand out as an NBA title contender in 2021-22 because of their big offseason acquisitions in Kyle Lowry and P.J. Tucker. Those two signings are the epitome of Heat culture, and they have proven that they can step it up despite the lengthy absences of Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo.
These two stars sustained unfortunate injuries that have caused them to miss a number of games. Despite the numerous missing links in the lineup (Markieff Morris has also been out for a long time), the Heat are still fourth in the Eastern Conference behind the Brooklyn Nets, Chicago Bulls, and Milwaukee Bucks. As the Heat wait for the return of their stars (Kyle Lowry is now out as well due to health and safety protocols), there are several factors not just keeping this team afloat but allowing them to thrive despite so many health issues.
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Why the Miami Heat keep winning
Top 10 in offense & defense
Among all 30 coaches in the NBA, Erik Spoelstra is one of the best at putting his team in the best position to win through his offensive and defensive schemes. Others would think that the lineup he has been utilizing over the past month would lead to a slide in the standings. However, he has found some remarkable revelations in players like Max Strus, Gabe Vincent, Caleb Martin, and Dewayne Dedmon.
The Heat are a well-oiled machine on both ends of the court despite all the roster turmoil, and these players are making a case for playing time even when the team is healthy. Any person who suits up in a Miami jersey brings a certain sense of determination and motivation to gut it out every night. Thus, those are the traits that continue to make Miami a force to be reckoned with.
Cool, calm, and collected in the clutch
Even in crucial situations against teams like the Bucks and Philadelphia 76ers, there were players who stepped up despite their inexperience. Those kinds of brilliant victories are led by the coaching and basketball expertise of Spoelstra. These players are not afraid of the big moments, but they rather see it as an opportunity for them to make a name for themselves.
There are no excuses for this squad, and so many different players have stepped up and swished crucial shots in the fourth quarter of critical games. Through the grueling times they are experiencing, it will develop them and help them flourish despite the pressure and expectations in the playoffs.
Fourth in 3-point percentage
For a team that has heavily relied on Lowry and Tyler Herro to create offense over the past weeks, it has been sensational that they are fourth in the Association in long-range shooting. They are still able to attack the paint, which forces defenses to be in shambles and creates open shots for the likes of Strus, Vincent, and Duncan Robinson. Lowry and Herro are doing their share of sniping as well.
Robinson is still struggling from rainbow country this season, meaning the Heat can still elevate their shooting percentage as the season approaches its halfway point. Even if Lowry is more of a pass-first facilitator, he's increasing his volume of shots and scoring over 20 points when it's necessary, and hopefully he's not out long. When the Heat are raining from long distance, it makes them difficult to defeat, especially when Butler and Adebayo return from their injuries.
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The Nets and Bucks are still the favorites in the East, but the Heat are quietly proving they belong in the contender conversation by overcoming all this adversity and winning so many games. Addressing their weaknesses has been a strength of Pat Riley as Heat president, as their depth has massively improved from previous years. Miami will be a tough out in every playoff series because of its toughness and willingness to do anything to remain competitive in any game.
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