5. Miami’s hot start could shake up the playoff picture out east
The star power of Jimmy Butler was bound to push the Miami Heat into the playoff conversation, but what the organization couldn’t have seen coming was multiple contributions from unlikely sources.
The 13th overall pick in last June’s draft, Tyler Herro is contributing 14.0 points per game on 40.0 percent shooting from downtown. Undrafted rookie Kendrick Nunn is making a name for himself as the new starting point guard for the Heat by averaging 17.3 points per game.
Butler has resumed his All-Star caliber play following a brief two-game absence to start the season and Bam Adebayo‘s breakout campaign has him in the early mix for Most Improved honors.
Why does Jimmy Butler like playing with the Heat’s young players?@5ReasonsSports pic.twitter.com/UugE6Ws3fp
— Ethan J. Skolnick, 5 Reasons Sports (@EthanJSkolnick) November 19, 2019
Along with contributions across Miami’s deep roster, the Heat have amassed a 10-3 record, good for third-best in the Eastern Conference. Their third-ranked defense more than makes up for a mediocre offense along with the third-highest net rating in the league.
Before the season, the Eastern Conference crown seemed to be a two-team race between the Milwaukee Bucks and Philadelphia 76ers.
Miami might not have the talent to stack up against those elite squads, but their hard-nosed mentality along with the brilliant coaching of Erik Spoelstra is the perfect recipe for a potential upset come playoff time.