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Miami Heat: 3 things fans should watch for in 2018-19

By Rahmeaun Rahming

MIAMI, FL - OCTOBER 12: Dwyane Wade #3 of the Miami Heat looks on against the Atlanta Hawks on October 12, 2018 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. 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 Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL - OCTOBER 12: Dwyane Wade #3 of the Miami Heat looks on against the Atlanta Hawks on October 12, 2018 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. 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 Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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MIAMI, FL – OCTOBER 12: Hassan Whiteside #21 of the Miami Heat shows emotion during the game against the Atlanta Hawks on October 12, 2018 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. 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 Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL – OCTOBER 12: Hassan Whiteside #21 of the Miami Heat shows emotion during the game against the Atlanta Hawks on October 12, 2018 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. 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 Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Games You Should Circle

I’ve taken the liberty of looking for the most important games of the season.

These games may surprise you though, as they don’t include the big ticket teams like the Golden State Warriors or Houston Rockets.

Instead, these are games mostly against teams that were out of the playoffs last season, that will be looking to rectify that this year.

If I were a betting man, I’d say there are a lot of guaranteed losses on the schedule. But these seven games will need to be marked as wins to secure the Heat a playoff spot.

Game 1: October 27 versus Portland Trailblazers

The Blazers have an interesting roster and are the only Western Conference team to make my list.

Outside of Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum, their roster is filled with hard working veterans who may be considered overpaid. The Heat’s suffocating defense has a chance to hold the Blazers scoring down, while creating transition opportunities for the Heat. As long as they keep the scoring output and the possession count low, the Heat have an excellent chance to win both games against this team.

Game 2: November 12 versus Philadelphia 76ers

This game is a test.

This matchup is a first-round playoff rematch that if the Heat want to prove that they’re a contender in the East, they need to win. I expect Dwyane Wade to have an excellent game but, he can’t be the best scorer on the team if they want to succeed. The Heat will need Whiteside to matchup well against Joel Embiid, Goran Dragic to get into the paint with a live dribble and cause havoc, and Justise Winslow to be a playmaking, Robert Covington.

If the Heat can’t do that, case closed. Move on to the next game.

Danger Zone: March 10-18

During these eight days, the Heat plays their final five games of the regular season. The team must make sure to go into this stretch run well-rested and healthy, if possible.

Here are the team’s last five opponents: at home against the Toronto Raptors, Detroit Pistons, Milwaukee Bucks, Charlotte Hornets, and then finishing off on the road against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

This patch in the schedule is a dangerous stretch of games, and if the Heat aren’t careful, they could end the season on a five-game losing streak. If the Heat came into this stretch limping like they did last season, with teams like the Pistons and Cleveland Cavaliers hoping to get a playoff spot, a disastrous losing streak could bounce them from the playoffs before the postseason even begins.

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