NBA Power Rankings Week 17: A new number one and a lot of injuries

PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 14: Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers guards Kyrie Irving #11 of the Brooklyn Nets in the second quarter at the Wells Fargo Center on April 14, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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 Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

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Miami Heat. 17. team. 110. . 28-28. Previous: 13th

Last Week: Beat Portland Trail Blazers 107-98, Lost to Phoenix Suns 106-86, Lost to Denver Nuggets 123-106, Lost to Minnesota Timberwolves 119-111

This Week: 4/18 vs. Brooklyn Nets, 4/19 vs. Houston Rockets, 4/21 at San Antonio Spurs, 4/23 at Atlanta Hawks, 4/24 vs. Chicago Bulls

No matter how long this season goes on, the Miami Heat remain incapable of stringing together consistent performances. This was to be expected after the quick turnaround from last season but that does not make the current situation any less frustrating. The injury to Victor Oladipo was simply the most recent development.

Oladipo missed the entire week and there has yet to be an update on what his condition will be going forward. Brought in at the deadline as an ancillary scorer for a Heat team in need of an extra punch, Oladipo is missing more than the team would like to admit.

Overall, the deadline (and buyout) acquisitions are not paying dividends. Nemanja Bjelica is averaging just 10.9 minutes per game and has not made nearly the impact the Heat expected he would of yet. Dewayne Dedmon has played a total of six minutes. If not for the generally solid play from Trevor Ariza of late, the entirety of the new Heat would be forgettable.

Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo need more help. They need the rest of the roster to get on the same page as them. The Heat were completely in sync in the bubble last season and showed what their ultimate potential was. Unfortunately, for their prognosis this season, they’re running out of time to do that again.