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Miami Heat’s Platinum Group is their playoff X-Factor

By Brandon Johnson

SACRAMENTO, CA - MARCH 14: The Miami Heat bench reacts during the game against the Sacramento Kings on March 14, 2018 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. 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 Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CA - MARCH 14: The Miami Heat bench reacts during the game against the Sacramento Kings on March 14, 2018 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. 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 Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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In case of a Heat-Raptors first round series, Miami’s bench has heavy burden.

For the time being, the Miami Heat have dodged a bullet.

With last night’s victory over the Atlanta Hawks, Miami has ricocheted into sixth place. Should the new ranking hold, it means a first round series with LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers is just around the bend.

Still, as of this writing, tiebreakers with the Washington Wizards and Milwaukee Bucks are the only things separating Miami from tumbling into eighth place.

Since the threat of a journeying north of the boarder to face the Toronto Raptors in a first round series is incredibly realistic, Miami needs to realize its X-Factor.

Miami needs a winning Platinum Group.

By now, we’re well acquainted with Miami’s second unit. Finding themselves somewhere between nursing leads and constructing comebacks, the Heat’s bench players have skirted the conventional notion that playoff teams need short rotations.

"“We have a lot of versatility,” guard Wayne Ellington said of Miami’s roster. “There is strength in numbers. Take away one thing, and we have something else for you. Everybody has to be ready to contribute.”"

With one more regular season contest against the Raptors remaining, Miami’s bench has been the catalyst for competition in the games thus far. In the two preceding games, the Heat bench has combined for 87 of the team’s 202 points, including standout games from Ellington and Bam Adebayo.

The group’s success is important, if only because the Raptors come equipped with their own second-wind. Among the league’s best benches, Toronto can go toe-to-toe with Miami’s depth, so it’s imperative the Platinum Group is ready to play.

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Parsing out the details of what Miami’s bench needs to contribute is more intricate. Kelly Olynyk, who had a stellar 13.5 point, 6.3 rebound and 4.3 assist per game month of March, is imperative to Miami’s wellbeing.

Running the offense with Olynyk’s quarterback vision in mind, Miami’s half-court bench offense can keep the Raptors on edge.

Playing from the foul line extended, Olynyk’s shovel passes and slo-mo drives to the hoop can collapse defenses, but his preference to catch-and-shoot keeps defenders weary of leaving him too much daylight.

Coupled with Ellington’s scrambling to hit 3’s, Justise Winslow’s improved rim-finishing and Adebayo’s ability to leap entire defenders in a single bound, Miami’s Platinum Group is primed to keep pace with Toronto.

Lucky for Miami, they are among the best equipped to handle Toronto. Evidenced by Dwyane Wade’s contributions in the 2016 playoffs, Miami’s future Hall of Fame enshrinee is an effective replacement for Toronto Kryptonite.

Next: Miami Heat secure playoff spot, but what are their first round chances?

Should a series with the Raptors play out as closely as the regular season games have, Wade and the second unit are sure to give the Raptors the hardest road through the first round.

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