Published On: Thu, Sep 26th, 2019

The Heat Must Walk Before Sprinting to the NBA Playoffs

 

Two wins were all that separated the Miami Heat from making the playoffs last season.

Down the final stretch, the Heat couldn’t close out a game. Losing four of their last six games, the Heat would eventually slide down far enough that they had to watch the playoffs from their own home.

But, as the calendar days turn and the summer ends, we’re closer to Heat basketball with every second, minute and hour that passes by. The team will hit the floor in October for preseason games.

The future of the Heat’s season started back in June, with the NBA draft. Miami selected Tyler Herro in the first round, then traded for the draft rights of KZ Okpala. With those selections, fans and Miami management started focusing on next season.

There has been a pattern forming with Miami over the past few seasons. One year, the Heat can make the playoffs. The next season, they bow out before making the playoffs. Thankfully for the Heat, if the pattern continues, they should make the playoffs this season.

While it’s nice to reach the playoffs, the ultimate goal is to win the NBA Championship. According to Betway (as of September 10th, 10:00 a.m. est*), the Heat are +5000 to win the NBA Championship this season.

While the odds are not in favor of the Heat bringing home a championship, the odds increase when we focus on the Eastern Conference.

The East will be stacked once again and it should be a tough conference. It will be a tough call selecting which team will represent the East in the NBA Finals.

With that being said, the Heat are listed at +2000 to win the Eastern Conference this season. They are ahead of teams like the Orlando Magic (+3300) and Atlanta Hawks (+5000) but trail teams like the Indiana Pacers (+1200) and Toronto Raptors (+1000).

The Heat ended 2018 as the top team in the Southeast division. Gear up Heat fans, because Miami is projected to win the division once again this season.

Listed at -134, the Heat have the best odds to win the Southeast this season.

Training camp begins at the end of the month. As the team prepares for another season, the Heat are looking forward to seeing Jimmy Butler hit the court for the first time in a Heat uniform.

Butler was involved in a four-team trade that sent him to Miami from the Philadelphia 76ers.

Butler comes with quite a resume, as well. He is a four-time all-star, two-time All-NBA selection and was the Most Improved player in 2015. The 29-year-old is an experienced NBA veteran that averaged over 30 minutes per game last season.

The Heat have six rookies listed on their roster, so Butler will be a great mentor for the kids coming into the Heat organization. Butler has the third most professional experience on the Heat entering this season. If Butler wanted to be a leader and star, he can do so in Miami.

While fans are hopeful that the Heat can make a Cinderella run this season, the team needs to walk before they jog – and certainly before they sprint.

Butler was a good acquisition. Add in that the Heat drafted Herro and they have the likes of Goran Dragic and Justise Winslow, Miami has a decent roster entering this season.

This season will be a year of building for Miami. Thankfully, they are not rebuilding from the ground up. After a season where Miami missed the playoffs, the Heat are projected to finish in a playoff position. Granted, Miami is expected to be a lower-level playoff team, but once you get to the dance, anything can happen.

There is hope entering this season. After watching playoff basketball from the outside, the Heat are looking to find a spot at the table.

Miami needs to take things slow as they try and become a playoff team. They certainly have assets that can turn the game upside down, but it won’t be easy. No team is without flaws and that is true for the Heat.

Whether the Heat have division champion, eastern champion or NBA champion goals this season, the team needs to take it slow and enjoy the path that is the NBA season.

 



*all odds as of September 10th, 10:00 a.m. est.

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