Miami Heat: A team becoming accustomed to crunch time

With a playoff spot all but secured, the Miami Heat will be aiming to utilize their significant experience of crunch-time situations moving forward.

Through 77 games, the Miami Heat have competed in the most clutch games in the NBA.

Under the broadest definition of clutch situations, being five minutes or less on the clock and the score being within five points in either direction, the Heat have posted a 27-24 record. While they may rank first in overall clutch situations, they rank 14th in win percentage from such games.

Breaking it down further, here’s how the Heat have fared this season in a variety of situations:

Final five minutes, five-point difference or less

• 27-24 record (most appearances, 14th-best record)
• Offensive rating: 111.7 (7th)
• Defensive rating: 103.6 (10th)

Final four minutes, four-point difference or less

• 24-22 record (most appearances, 15th-best record)
• Offensive rating: 104.8 (17th)
• Defensive rating: 106.5 (18th)

Final three minutes, three-point difference or less

• 23-20 (most appearances, 12th-best record)
• Offensive rating: 114.9 (8th)
• Defensive rating: 101.9 (10th)

Final two minutes, two-point difference or less

• 17-17 (most appearances, 15th-best record)
• Offensive rating: 106.5 (13th)
• Defensive rating: 93.9 (8th)

Final minute, one-point difference or less

• 13-11 (most appearances, 13th-best record)
• Offensive rating: 102.2 (14th)
• Defensive rating: 66.9 (4th)

Whatever the context of these various clutch situations, the winning percentage has essentially been the same, and is extremely comparable to their 41-36 record overall.

So while the team has been solid overall in its clutch appearances this season, here’s a breakdown of the best and worst individual performers thus far for the Heat.