Miami Heat: 3 reasons why the 2018-19 team will surprise the league

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PHILADELPHIA, PA – APRIL 24: James Johnson #16 of the Miami Heat looks on during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers in Game Five of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 24, 2018 at the Wells Fargo Center 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Defensive efforts

Earlier this week, an AllUCanHeat contributor made a few bold predictions about the Heat’s defense for the 2018-19 season.

I stand by those takes as well.

The Heat’s defense is going to surprise the league this season.

The Heat were fourth in the league last season in opponent points per game, keeping teams to 102.9 points. They also had the eighth best defensive rating in the league.

However, they were No. 23 in points per game. Things are clearly going well on one side of the floor, and there is no reason to doubt that they will not continue to.

They have scoring talent, but defense is what was making and breaking games for them last season. Whiteside is a big part of this and if he is able to return to the top of his game after a testing season, he alone can change the outlook for the team.

Last season, there was also a lot seen from James Johnson.

At 31-years-old, he was keeping up with a lot of skilled younger players on the defensive end.

Johnson also has the fearlessness to put up a fight. He does not back down on a switch and plays to his strengths, which is something that a player like Justise Winslow can benefit from learning.

Defense for this team comes down to one thing: effort. They are going to get back what they put in. If it’s maximum contributions from all five players on the floor, they will win games that no one expected them to.

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