Miami Heat should consider themselves in driver’s seat, but fortunately

Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (22) shoots over New Orleans Pelicans center Steven Adams (12) (Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports)
Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (22) shoots over New Orleans Pelicans center Steven Adams (12) (Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports)

The Miami Heat haven’t had the smoothest first half of the season, in the most untraditional of seasons and only tied with last season, but they have managed to climb back into the thick of things.

Sitting alone in sixth place in the NBA’s Eastern Conference, the Miami Heat have managed to climb back in after having quite the set of circumstances to overcome along the way. Perhaps we should have said “sets”, as there were multiple obstacles before them.

The Miami Heat control their own fates from here on out and they’re fortunate to be there.

The Miami Heat started out the season on slippery ice. While they were able to secure a couple of wins, they weren’t able to get or keep everyone as healthy as they should be early on.

As if we didn’t know it would come, they were then a victim of the NBA’s health and safety protocols.

Let’s be clear, when we say “victim”, we purely mean that it hurt them when it came to their chances of winning basketball games. However and at the same time, the health of the person and overall effort to stop the virus is what’s most important,

Even still, the Miami Heat had to endure it all. Recently, they managed to get most of their guys back into action and although more sporadically for some than others, things are starting to work out as they should.

The Miami Heat are in the driver’s seat from this point on when it comes to their postseason seeding. I tend to think they could challenge to realistically finish as high as the third seed in the conference.

You have to admit though, after what they endured and put on the board with their performances, it is a marvel to behold. They needed this break after pressing so hard to get and stay in it.

With Bam Adebayo missing the last game with the knee issue, it’s great for him too and the same stands for Jimmy Butler‘s knee.

Hopefully, the break keeps them inspired while giving them much needed time to rest up and get fully healthy. They’ll need everything in them for the second half push.