The Miami Heat’s next two games will tell us all we need to know about the legitimacy of this roster and their potential shot at the title.
Do you want to know if this Miami Heat team is legit? Watch their next two games.
No really, with the Toronto Raptors and Boston Celtics slated (back to back, mind you), we’ll learn everything we need to know about the Heat by Tuesday night’s end. Let me explain.
Jimmy Butler’s first year in Miami couldn’t have gone any better, thus far. The Heat are 41-24, sitting as the Eastern Conference fourth seed, and housing two All-Stars in their starting lineup.
They’ve beaten plenty of top teams, home and away. They’re top ten in every three-point statistic and have a depth that’s almost unmatched across the entire league. But are they contenders?
Fans and even just NBA watchers have been asking themselves that since the start of the year.
Miami was always going to have a winning season, that much was guaranteed once Butler agreed to the sign-and-trade that landed him in South Beach. But until they’re holding the Larry O’Brien in
June
October, it’s hard to say anyone would commit to their championship status.
Luckily for us, the next two games should provide ample proof either way.
In the Toronto Raptors, you’ve got the 2019 NBA champions who, despite losing their Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard, have put together a better record than last season.
Pascal Siakam has grown into a legitimate number one option, and veterans Kyle Lowry and Serge Ibaka are playing as comfortable as ever in the system that saw them win their first championship.
This is not a team to dismiss when it comes to playoff talk. They are every bit as dangerous as they were last June. How the Heat play them on Monday will be a great indicator as to how serious this team is in comparison to their Eastern Conference competition.
(It’s worth noting that Miami is 2-0 against Toronto this season, but I digress.)
Miami will follow up Monday’s game with a Tuesday-evening matchup with the Boston Celtics, who’re coming off of a down-to-the-wire win over the Portland Trail Blazers.
Jayson Tatum regained his All-Star form with a 34-point performance, and Jaylen Brown made his presence known as well with 30 points of his own. The two (along with Kemba Walker) will provide a real test for this Heat team, especially on the second night of a back to back.
Boston is neck and neck with Miami in a race for the Eastern’s third seed. The winner of said race will likely be rewarded a first-round matchup with the shorthanded Indiana Pacers. Which is likely all the motivation these two clubs need to go the extra mile and compete on Tuesday.
In their two meetings this season the Heat have fallen to the Celtics both times, by an average of eight and a half points. For them to come out and get a win now, and the night after their matchup with the reigning champions, would be nothing short of a statement.
If the Miami Heat drop both of their next two games, it’ll be a reality check for both fans and the front office. But if they can pull out two wins, it’ll be a warning to the rest of the NBA: they’re here to play and should be taken as seriously as any other title threat.
They’ll start things off with the Toronto Raptors on Monday. Tip-off is at 1:30 pm est.