The Miami Heat have been projected to finish eighth in the Eastern Conference according to NBA Power Rankings released last week. The Boston Celtics are picked to win the Conference for the second consecutive season.
projects the Heat as a No. 8 seed facing the Boston Celtics in the first round again in the Eastern Conference playoffs. Last year the Celtics eliminated the Heat in five games.
"The Heat are one of six teams that have ranked in the bottom 10 offensively in each of the last two seasons," Schuhmann said, "They can be trusted to rank in the top defensively again , but they can’t hang with the best teams in the East with another worse-than-average offense." The Heat should get an added boost with a healthy Jimmy Butler and Terry Rozier. Both were sidelined because of injuries for last year's series. Both could have helped out Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro, who were left alone against the eventual champion Celtics.
Another year of growth from Jaime Jaquez and Nikola Jovic could also help the Heat. They drafted Kel'El Ware out of Indiana at No. 15, so he is expected to contribute this season. Are the Heat ready to contend with the likes of the Celtics, New York Knicks and Milwaukee Bucks? Probably not right now. But their development could help the process.Scott Salomon joined FanNation on Sports Illustrated in April 2024 covering breaking news and analysis for the Miami Dolphins channel. In June he joined Inside the Heat and Back in the Day NBA. Scott is based in South Florida and has been covering the local and national sports scene for 35 years.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Miami Heat Legend Takes NBA Insider to Task When It Comes to Bam AdebayoNBA Writer defends his selection of Rudy Gobert over Bam Adebayo for NBA Defensive Player of the Year, Udonis Haslem is not buying what he is selling,
Read more »
NBA Analyst Already Questioning Miami Heat's Commitment To Jaime Jaquez?Miami Heat's Jaime Jaquez Jr. ranked as the NBA's third-most valuable trade asset.
Read more »
NBA Star's Father Takes Blunt Jab At Miami Heat Legend Dwyane WadeThe father of Boston Celtics guard Derrick White recently called out Miami Heat's Dwyane Wade on social media.
Read more »
Miami Heat's Bam Adebayo Calls Out NBA Analyst For Benching PredictionMiami Heat center Bam Adebayo responded to ESPN's Brian Windhorst suggesting he may be benched for Wednesday's game against South Sudan
Read more »
Miami Heat's Josh Christopher Granted Another Chance At NBA SuccessMiami Heat shooting guard Josh Christopher wants to continue to build more success. He wants the opportunity to showcase his talent and be a factor for the Heat.
Read more »
4x NBA All-Star Reveals He Wanted To Be Drafted By The Miami HeatPhoenix Suns star Devin Booker thought he was going to be drafted by the Miami Heat.
Read more »