The Miami Heat still cannot find a way to escape play-in territory as we approach the All-Star break. The good news — or bad news, depending on how this week transpires — is that the trade deadline is this week!
All that said, where do the Miami Heat rank among different experts’ power rankings as we enter the break?! Let’s examine!
NBA.com (John Schuhmann): No. 15
“Given that Chicago was missing three of its best players, the Heat’s loss on Saturday was pretty disappointing. But they went 2-1 in their three straight games against the Bulls, rebounding with a 43-point win on Sunday night, to remain comfortably in the top eight in the East.
“The Heat have the league’s fifth easiest February schedule in regard to cumulative opponent winning percentage, and their visit to Washington on Sunday will be the start of six straight games (spanning the All-Star break) against teams currently below .500. Before that, they’ll visit the Celtics, having allowed 124.6 points per 100 possessions (their worst mark vs. any opponent) as they’ve lost the first two meetings.”
The Athletic (Law Murray): No. 16
“Congratulations to Norman Powell, a first-time All-Star at age 32 and in his first season with Miami. His next contract is going to be very interesting, particularly for a Heat team still floating just above .500 and out of games against the Chicago Bulls until they inevitably meet in April’s Play-In Tournament. Kel’el Ware seems to have a permanent residence in Erik Spoelstra’s doghouse, and perhaps the Heat would be better off with another center from the 2024 draft class, Missi.”
ESPN (Bobby Marks): No. 14
“The Heat capped their road trip Sunday with a win against the Suns and went 3-5 while away from home. In the past four games, Pelle Larsson, Nikola Jovic and Jaime Jaquez Jr. combined to average 37 points, helping elevate Miami with a chance to separate itself from the teams fighting for a play-in spot in the East. The Heat will play Chicago three times, Orlando and Atlanta with four of those five contests at home.”
CBS Sports (Brad Botkin): No. 20
“Since Jan. 1, Miami has the 23rd ranked offense in the league even as Bam Adebayo has shot 42% from 3 over that stretch with at least four triples made in three of his last seven. We’re on Giannis watch here.”
Bleacher Report (Andy Bailey): No. 14
“The Miami Heat are among the bona fide suitors for Giannis Antetokounmpo. And if they land him at the trade deadline (depending on what they give up), they’ll probably jump out of this morass in the middle of the power rankings.
“If they don’t get the superstar forward, it’s starting to get difficult to imagine them being anything but mediocre.”
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5 games out of 2nd place, with Herro only playing 11 games this season. Heat have the ingredients to go on a run whether they get Giannis or not. I would expect Giannis to be traded by Thursday and Heat have as good an offer as anyone
Consistently mediocre
This team goal used to be championship or bust now it’s playin then playoffs and bust no higher no lower stuck running in place going nowhere