NBA Power Rankings Week 11: All-Star break edition

DETROIT, MICHIGAN - FEBRUARY 09: Kyrie Irving #11 and James Harden #13 of the Brooklyn Nets while playing the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena on February 09, 2021 in Detroit, Michigan. 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 Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

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18-18. Previous: 10th. Miami Heat. 11. team. 110.

Last Week: Beat Atlanta Hawks 109-99, Lost to Atlanta Hawks 94-80, Beat New Orleans Pelicans 103-93

This Week: 3/11 vs. Orlando Magic, 3/12 at Orlando Magic

For those who were enjoying the early season struggles of the Miami Heat, the fun may be officially over. Since Jimmy Butler returned from COVID-19, the Heat are tied for the third-most wins in the league, having won 12 of their last 19 games.

Over that same time period, they are number one in defensive rating and are terrorizing opposing teams on a nightly basis. Butler would have been an All-Star if he had not missed that amount of time. He is averaging 20.5 points, 7.8 assists, 7.5 rebounds and 1.9 steals per game. He still cannot shoot from outside (a frigid 23.5 percent) but he sets the culture for the team that relies on it more than any.

Since Butler returned on Jan. 28, six other Heat players have averaged more than 10 points per game. Goran Dragic was only able to play in eight of the 19 games, but when he is on the court with Butler, the team looks like the squad that made a run to the NBA Finals.

Matchups in the postseason will be what determines the success of the Heat’s season once again, but they are rolling into the all-important trade deadline. Pat Riley is not afraid to make a move to bolster his odds to get back to yet another Finals. As always, the Miami Heat are a team to keep an eye on.