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4 reasons the Miami Heat could make the NBA Finals

By John Jablonka

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - MARCH 06: Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Heat, Bam Adebayo #13 and Duncan Robinson #55 react against the New Orleans Pelicans during a game at the Smoothie King Center on March 06, 2020 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - MARCH 06: Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Heat, Bam Adebayo #13 and Duncan Robinson #55 react against the New Orleans Pelicans during a game at the Smoothie King Center on March 06, 2020 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /
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Miami Heat (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
Miami Heat (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /

Versatile defenders

This season the Miami Heat have been disappointing when it comes to defense especially by their standards. For the first time since LeBron James was in town, the Heat’s defense is worse than the offense. Despite having a relative defensive rating of just minus 1.0, the defense could step it up in the playoffs.

Although the one thing the Heat extremely lack is interior defense, they do have one of the top perimeter defense for both wing players and big men.

Here are some stats about the Heat’s defense:

  • Only one player ranks below the 50th percentile in perimeter defense
  • Four players have a grade of B or above in perimeter defense
  • Teams shoot 1.1 percent below the league average from deep

They have numerous long versatile defenders, which include Jimmy Butler, Derrick Jones Jr, Crowder, and Bam Adebayo. A combination of their individual skills and their ability to provide great help defense is a significant reason why certain stars struggle versus the Heat.

Take Giannis Antetokounmpo. In the two games this season, he only scored 42 points on 46.2 percent. You also add 0-9 from deep and 11 turnovers to only 12 assists. Not only has this happened this season, but this is a similar occurrence that has happened for the past three seasons.

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Antetokounmpo is not the only player that has bad games when he comes to face Miami. Players like Myles Turner, Pascal Siakam, and even Russell Westbrook.

Now obviously the team won’t shut down every superstar each game, but they are capable of containing them and letting other players beat them. Would you rather take your chance on Eric Bledsoe going off or Antetokounmpo?

A very simple answer.

This is also not even mentioning their zone defense, which proves to be quite effective versus their potential match-up with the 76ers.

If the Heat can get their defensive effort up a notch and you combine that with their stellar shooting, they will be dangerous. There aren’t many teams that can give you effort on both ends.

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