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Miami Heat: 5 teams to worry about in the Eastern Conference

By Jack Simone

MIAMI, FLORIDA - MAY 27: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks is defended by Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Heat during the first quarter in Game Three of the Eastern Conference first-round playoff series at American Airlines Arena on May 27, 2021 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. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FLORIDA - MAY 27: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks is defended by Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Heat during the first quarter in Game Three of the Eastern Conference first-round playoff series at American Airlines Arena on May 27, 2021 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. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers is defended by Duncan Robinson #55 and Bam Adebayo #13 of the Miami Heat (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

Teams the Miami Heat will compete with in the standings: Milwaukee Bucks & Philadelphia 76ers

Milwaukee Bucks

This is the other fairly obvious team to be put on this list. The Milwaukee Bucks are the defending champions and will be a top team in the East once again this year.

The Bucks and the Heat are not locked in a big-time rivalry after facing off in the playoffs in each of the past two seasons. Each team has managed to win one of those series.

The craziest part about that is that the winner of each of those respected series’ then went on to reach the NBA Finals. These two squads are both obviously at the top of their game.

Miami is going to be dealing with the Bucks a lot this year in regard to jockeying for playoff positioning. They both project to finish around the same place in the standings.

Hot. 3 Players Who Looked Spectacular in the Preseason. light

Philadelphia 76ers

The Philadelphia 76ers are a weird case in this scenario. Similar to the Brooklyn Nets, they are dealing with a ton of internal drama that could affect how their season plays out.

Ben Simmons has supposedly reported back to the 76ers, but Doc Rivers recently said that he is not in “game shape” quite yet. His status is going to have a major impact on how this team performs.

Regardless of that, though, the 76ers will be a team competing for a top playoff spot in the East. Joel Embiid is just that dominant of a player.

In theory, the Heat have a good chance to finish with a better record than Philadelphia, but that’s not always how things play out. Don’t underestimate the reigning number one seed.

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