NBA Power Rankings Week 5: How good are the Utah Jazz?

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - JANUARY 21: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz in action during a game against the New Orleans Pelicans at Vivint Smart Home Arena on January 21, 2021 in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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 Alex Goodlett/Getty Images) /

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18. team. 110. . 6-9. Previous: 12th. Miami Heat

Last Week: Beat Detroit Pistons 113-107, Beat Toronto Raptors 111-102, Lost to Toronto Raptors 101-81, Lost to Brooklyn Nets 128-124

This Week: 1/25 at Brooklyn Nets, 1/27 vs. Denver Nuggets, 1/28 vs. LA Clippers, 1/30 vs. Sacramento Kings

The Miami Heat are still struggling with a plethora of health and safety issues that have limited the availability of some of their best players. Jimmy Butler has not been available for weeks and Tyler Herro has missed time with neck issues, in addition to several important role players.

Bam Adebayo is doing everything he can to rack up as many wins as possible in the interim. At times against the Brooklyn Nets, for example, Adebayo was the best player on the court. He finished the game with a line of 41 points, nine assists, five rebounds and a steal. Only two other players performed efficiently, one of them being Moe Harkless, who only attempted two shots.

Culture can only carry you so far when the lineup is running on fumes. Kendrick Nunn transformed into a useful contributor again this week for the first time since the season shut down last March but that is likely not sustainable. Rookie Precious Achiuwa brings plenty of energy but at this point is not contributing statistically. Gabe Vincent is getting a lot of run.

The Miami Heat will eventually be healthy. As long as they are still able to sneak into the playoffs, it will all turn out alright. Until that time, the Heat are simply not a good enough basketball team.