After winning nine of the previous 11 games, the Miami Heat have no trouble occasionally checking the standings. “You can feel that the group is sensing an opportunity right now,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said following Tuesday’s victory over the Portland Trail Blazers. “We have a bunch of competitors in our locker room, so I think as things out of the [All-Star] break start to really become about competing against teams that are fighting for playoff positioning, it just makes things come alive if you’re a competitor.
On this date last year, they were 33-29 (occupying the seventh slot) in the Eastern Conference. After that, they faltered and had to make an appearance in the Play-In Tournament.
The resurgent Heat are now set up to prevent a recurrence. Things seem to be rising. They have five straight victories. They just need Tyler Herro and Josh Richards to get back. Other than that, they’re healthy. Both seem to be about to make a reappearance.
By the conclusion of the season, the Heat will have a real opportunity to secure the No. 4 spot. They are now 1.5 games behind the New York Knicks with 24 games remaining.
If we could catch them, we would have to host a first-round playoff series.
“There’s a benefit to being hot when it matters,” Heat player Terry Rozier remarked. “I believe we are all aware of that. It’s a fantastic time of year and a great time to play basketball. We think we can outperform everyone. We’ll just approach each game as it comes up and see where it goes from there.”
Sports Illustrated’s Fan Nation channel Inside The Heat features coverage of the Miami Heat by Shandel Richardson. He began reporting on the NBA in 2010.
