Miami Heat Among League’s Best And Making Pat Riley Proud

As the Miami Heat prepare to embark upon the second half of their current season, they currently sit near the very top of the NBA’s pecking order. Currently with the fourth-best record in the entire league.

Tied with their very own Dwyane Wade‘s Utah Jazz at 29-16, the Miami Heat are riding the back of one of the hottest recent stretches in the entire league as well. Over their last 15 games, they sit in a four-way tie for the second-best record in the league across that span at 11-4.

Only one game off of a scorching hot Memphis Grizzlies team, currently sitting at 12-3 over their last 15, the Miami Heat are hot on their trails. Again, the Heat along with the likes of the Phoenix Suns, the Dallas Mavericks, and the Philadelphia 76ers behind a rampaging Joel Embiid.

The very last part of that whole scenario, for which the Heat got to experience themselves recently, first hand. Never mind that though, as there has been plenty to celebrate.

With the Miami Heat being able to successfully navigate injury and the NBA’s health and safety protocols all season long, while also sustaining success and maximizing output, there is no reason to harp on the shortcomings.

The Miami Heat are among the NBA’s best. They can win a ton of ways, but when they do it defensively and with grit, Pat Riley surely cracks a wider smile.

As they continue to get back to full strength, though still dealing with here and there absences of many kinds, they are beginning to fully look like themselves again.

Take these two pieces of evidence. The first is a Coach Spoelstra postgame response— responding to a winning-type sequence near the end of the last contest, a tight and tough win over the Portland Trail Blazers.

As you can see from the actual referenced sequence in the game above, it was well worth the sentiments. The Miami Heat did what the Miami Heat do.

They played tough, hard-nosed, gritty defense and for much of that game’s closing stretch. They made the plays and hit some shots on the offensive side of the ball, but they won that game with defense and hard work.

As Coach Spo insinuated, you can bet your bottom dollar that Pat Riley really enjoyed the way that one unfolded. That’s how he envisions the game.

So, if being among the league’s very best wasn’t already enough, surely this is the cherry on top of what looks to be a team that is making Pat Riley extremely proud this season.