Miami Heat: Max Strus Is Flying High And Into Opposing Scouting Reports

Max Strus #31 of the Miami Heat smiles as he walks to the bench during the fourth quarter against the Houston Rockets (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
Max Strus #31 of the Miami Heat smiles as he walks to the bench during the fourth quarter against the Houston Rockets (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
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Miami Heat
Miami Heat guard Max Strus (31) shoots the ball against the Portland Trail Blazers(Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports)

While it’s been an up-down year, the Miami Heat (35-30) are trending in a positive direction once again. This time, it’s come at such a convenience — as we’ve now entered the final stretch of the 2020-21 NBA regular season.

With key wins over the Cleveland Cavaliers and Charlotte Hornets, a successful weekend for the Heat has granted them the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference. Also, after winning four of their last five outings, Miami is now two games ahead of the Boston Celtics and are tied with the Atlanta Hawks for fifth in the East.

As the Heat are seemingly regaining their health in the final stretch of the season, we’ve most notably witnessed a recent uptick in their reserve production. Heat veteran guard, Goran Dragic, has returned to Dragon-form, playing with more comfort and aggression after dealing with back and knee injuries some weeks ago and for the most of the season, to be honest.

Late-season pickup, Dewayne Dedmon, has expedited the process of solidifying the Heat’s lacking interior presence, solidifying his position as the Heat’s backup Center as well, and perhaps as one of the league’s most impactful rotational players.

That’s not even the real story here though.