The Miami Heat suffered a disappointing first-round exit in the 2021 NBA Playoffs but made sure to strengthen their roster this offseason in order to become a contender in the East again. Most notably, Kyle Lowry came to South Beach to join his good friend Jimmy Butler, while they also added a championship defender in P.J. Tucker. All signs point to a productive season for the Heat and with that being said, here are 4 bold predictions for the team in 2021-22.
Miami Heat Bold Predictions
4. Butler and Lowry form one of the best duos in NBA
Butler is already an absolute stud and the heartbeat of the Heat franchise. But, adding a true point guard to the mix in Lowry is only going to make him that much better. Before Lowry's arrival from the Raptors, Jimmy Buckets was Miami's best playmaker. But now, he will have the chance to thrive more as a scorer instead of worrying about running the offense. Lowry brings a championship pedigree to the Heat and is arguably one of the most well-rounded PG's in the Association. While he hasn't shown a lot in the preseason, he has proved how good of a facilitator he is, averaging around six assists per night in four contests. He also gives the Heat another sharpshooter from downtown, draining 39.6% of his three-point attempts last season for the Raptors.
On top of their skillsets, Lowry and Butler are very close friends and have been for many years. That should certainly translate to success on the floor given their relationship. The experience that both of these players bring to the table is unmatched and Lowry has tasted success on the big stage before as well. Expect the Heat duo to thrive in the Eastern Conference.
3. Tyler Herro takes a big step in Year 3
Herro was a breath of fresh air in his rookie season, proving to be a huge piece of the puzzle en route to their NBA Finals run. However, he didn't exactly improve as much as Miami would've hoped last season, averaging 15.1 points, five rebounds, and 3.4 assists per contest. Those numbers were only a tad higher than Year 1. In the process, his long-range shooting dipped from 38.9 to 36%. If the preseason was any indication though, Herro could be in for a big year with the Heat.
In five games, the former Kentucky star averaged 22 points, five boards, and three dimes while shooting over 50% from the field and an impressive 45% from beyond the arc. That's exactly what the Heat have been wanting to see from Herro. He's attacking the rim more frequently and showing a ton of confidence with his shot. Herro recently said that he belongs in the conversation with guys like Luka Doncic, Ja Morant, and Trae Young. While many believe that he's not at that level yet, which he isn't, this season is a chance for him to prove the doubters wrong. You can just see the Heat guard playing with a chip on his shoulder right now. His preseason brilliance will carry over to the regular season.
2. Heat finish top 3 in the East
Miami has a very strong core right now and possesses lots of talent on both sides of the ball. Offensively, they have no shortage of shooters in Herro, Duncan Robinson, Lowry, and Butler from time to time. Adebayo is an absolute monster inside and can bully just about anybody around the rim. The Heat can get buckets from all over the floor in a variety of different ways and that's tough to find across the league.
Defensively though, is where Miami is extremely compact. They ranked 7th in the league last season in defensive rating, but the additions of Lowry and Tucker have made them that much better. Lowry is a pest when it comes to guarding oppositions and is willing to put his body on the line at any given moment. Tucker meanwhile, was brought in by the Bucks in 2020-21 to help them win a championship, and that he did, proving to be a key cog on the defensive end. Now, he comes to the Heat to team up with Butler and Co.
The East is stacked with good teams. But, Miami is going to be right in the mix and secure their spot in the top three. They definitely have a chip on their shoulder after getting swept by Milwaukee and you better believe the Heat will bounce back with authority.
1. The Heat make the NBA Finals again
Securing a top-three seed is one thing, but actually getting it done in the postseason is another. The offseason couldn't have been any better for the Heat and it will result in another run to the NBA Finals. As mentioned previously, there is no shortage of talent at both ends of the floor for Erik Spoelstra's squad. We know the leadership that Butler brings to the table, always proving that he can guide a team to playoff success. But with Lowry alongside him as well, it takes Miami to a brand new level. The former Raptor was the epitome of heart, blood, sweat, and tears in Toronto. He lifted them up when they needed it most and was never shy to leave it all out on the court. These two aren't getting any younger, either. Butler is yet to win a ring, while Lowry has one. Whether the Heat wins it all remains to be seen, but the team will be back on basketball's grand stage.
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