Despite being at the top of the Eastern Conference, the Miami Heat have had a roller-coaster season. With injuries and missed games throughout the roster, the Miami Heat have needed to make adjustments all year long.
Luckily for them, they are led by Coach Erik Spoelstra. As one of the best coaches in the NBA, he has mastered the ability to get the most out of any roster handed to him.
This season, his skills have truly been put to the test and he has succeeded in overcoming the challenge, making his case for being named the Coach Of The Year.
As special as Coach Spoelstra and the Miami Heat have been from top to bottom all year long though, they have not looked like themselves the past few games. Prior to Monday’s win over the Kings, the Heat had lost four in a row.
That’s no way to lock up the top seed and especially with the way they looked last week.
Miami Heat: Can They Hold on To The Top Spot After 4-Game Skid?
In two of their losses, the opponent defeated them without their superstars. In New York, the Heat blew a 17-point lead in an ugly loss to the Knicks, who were without Julius Randle.
The Heat usually start out strong, but it became clear that they need everyone healthy if they are going to be legitimate competitors. In the absence of Tyler Herro, Miami lacked the scoring consistency to contain the other team’s scoring runs towards the end of games.
Even though the Heat lost those four games in a row, they are still sitting at the top of the Eastern Conference. However, their loss on Saturday night to the Nets dropped them to second in the East, with the 76ers holding the tiebreaker.
The top of the East is very tight right now. The top four seeds are only separated by half a game.
At this point, anyone could claim the top spot. Can the Miami Heat hold on to it after regaining it in their Monday night win over Sacramento?
Miami Heat: They Got Off To A Good Start Over The Kings, But The Celtics Await
With only a few games remaining, the Heat should be able to hold on to the number one seed, but if they play as they did the four games last week, they will sink in the standings. They have to make sure that they are locked in, especially considering who they are playing.
Some significant games include a matchup against the Boston Celtics, who are currently in fourth place, and the Chicago Bulls, who are currently in fifth place. The outcome of those games will very likely decide how the standings play out.
They will both be incredibly difficult games to win, particularly the game against the Celtics, considering how hot they are right now and how stifling their defense has been.
Other important games feature potential first round matchups. This includes the game against the Raptors, the Hornets, and the Hawks.
These are important Eastern Conference matchups that the Heat need to win, regardless of their record. In terms of schedule toughness, the top four seeds are about equal in difficulty.
So, whichever team plays the best in the remaining weeks will probably take the top seed. The Heat have a chance to have a better record than the Bucks, the 76ers, and the Celtics.
Will they seize the opportunity to secure the top record in the East, or will they fall under pressure? Monday was a good start, but they need to be, at least, that good to close the year out.