Miami Heat: 5 reasons they will make the playoffs in 2017-18
By Simon Smith
4. Weakened Eastern Conference
Although the Heat have every right to be confident in their own abilities, the state of the Eastern Conference is certainly not going to do them any harm.
This past offseason has seen the defection of several All-Star players to the Western Conference. Paul George was traded from the Indiana Pacers. Jimmy Butler was dealt away by the Chicago Bulls. And finally, Paul Mills left the Atlanta Hawks as a free agent.
Considering the Pacers, Bulls and Hawks all took part in the playoff action last season, this opens up significant room for a number of teams to cash in this season. With so many teams in the East dropping off, even last year’s 41 wins would feel like a sure ticket to the postseason.
Given the way Miami closed the season on a 30-11 tear, another year of continuity and the addition of Olynyk, the Heat should be able to capitalize on a weakened Eastern Conference.