After 60 games, the Miami Heat are the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference with a 46-24 record. The 2021-2022 Heat have already surpassed its win total from 2020-2021, where they won just 40 games. The team allows the fourth least points per game, giving up an average of 104.7 points per game. The Heat also hold an NBA-leading .374% rate from behind the arc.
The Heat’s Big 3 in Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo and Kyle Lowry have elevated the team to a true contender. Butler averages 21.1 points, 6 rebounds, 5.6 assists and 1.8 steals per game. Adebayo is a Defensive Player of the Year contender, and he averages 19 points, 10.3 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game even though he had a torn ligament in his thumb. Lowry, the Heat’s prized free agent signing, is putting up 12.6 points, 7.8 assists and 4.7 rebounds with 1.1 steals per game.
Guard Tyler Herro has been on another level in the absence of Butler, Adebayo and Lowry. Herro averages a near-team leading 21 points per game. The third-year guard is basically a lock for the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year award. His efficient splits of 44.4% from the field, 39.3% from three and 86.7% from the stripe have people impressed.
The addition of former All-Star, All-Defensive and All-NBA guard Victor Oladipo has the potential to make the Heat the best (defensive) team in the NBA. Oladipo returned for the first time since January of 2021 when he opted to have surgery on a ruptured quadriceps tendon. In just four games, Oladipo has been on a minutes restriction, but in Per 36 minutes stats, he is averaging 12.2 points, 6.1 assists and 2.8 rebounds on 45% from the field. Oladipo’s return can take the Heat over the top, and help it compete with the elite competition in the East.
The Heat are even getting production from their lower-level guys. Forward Caleb Martin has carved out a real role for himself as the backup to Butler, scoring 22, 26 and 28 points in different games this season. Backup guard and forward Max Strus has at least seven games of more than 20 points, including a 32-point explosion. Though PJ Tucker is a very elite defender and not necessarily elite on the other side of the court, he has contributed nine games with at least 15 points.
Backup bigs Dewayne Dedmon and Omer Yurtseven have each had impressive runs, with Dedmon scoring 12.8 points and 8.4 rebounds over a five-game span, and Yurtseven racking up 13.6 points and 13.9 rebounds in a ten-game span.
The complete, star-studded but deep Heat have a chance to be champions in 2022. Only time will tell, but as the Heat gets healthier, the rest of the NBA will be sure to keep their eye on the Miami Heat.
