One of the more intriguing teams in the NBA bubble is the Miami Heat. The team that prides itself in Heat Culture and an amplified level of play in the postseason has a strong case as an Eastern Conference contender this season. The team is 2-0 against the conference favorite Milwaukee Bucks, and based on matchups could be the team the Bucks have the hardest time with.
What is it that makes the Heat a tough matchup for the Bucks? The answer is simple, and it is their All-Star Bam Adebayo. Bam is one of those unique talents that, while being 6’9” tall, he can guard every position. While Giannas remains one of the hardest players to stop in the league, Adebayo has the best chance to slow his production.
However, Adebayo is not the only defensive talent on the team. Four-time NBA All-defensive second team member Jimmy Butler is also there to serve as a star player stopper. The team also benefits from having defensive help from Jae Crowder and Andre Igoudala. Miami ranks #7 in the NBA in teams general defense and has a defensive rating of 109.2.
Heating up
Above all the impressive defensive metrics, the Miami Heat pair those with an arsenal of shooters, an incredible pair in NBA late-season play. With Goran Dragic, Tyler Herro, Duncan Robinson, and more Miami has a group of players that can quite literally heat up at any moment from deep. Ranking 7th in the NBA in offensive rating, the Heat have benefitted from the addition of their All-Star Jimmy Butler, who is averaging 20.2 points per game over 6 rebounds and 6 assists per game.
It is a true team effort for the Miami Heat, who ranks third in the NBA in Assist Percentage (65.6%). Bam Adebayo has been a key in the offense. The forward is averaging 16.2 points per game while also moving the ball for 5.1 assists per game and adds 10.5 rebounds per game. Subsequently, the Heat have the power to get any given player involved in a true manner of depth.
Because of the top ten defensive and offensive ratings, the Miami Heat have the potential to be a major surprise as play inside the bubble begins. The ability to match up with any team defensively really sets this team apart, and the Heat are seemingly made for a hard-nosed postseason matchup. Combining defense with ball movement and shooting goes far in the playoffs, and the Miami Heat are the team that should give the Milwaukee Bucks the hardest time coming out of the Eastern Conference.
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