Okoro game-winner for Cleveland help’s Miami Heat rise above Nets

The Miami Heat’s hard work may just finally be paying off.

After battling through so much this season, including poor overall offense, terrible overall shooting, one of the most ineptitude frames of shooting across several games right out of the All-Star break, quite a few injuries, and all among other things to boot, the Miami Heat have finally managed to see some progress as far as their play on the court and the standings in the Eastern Conference that reflect that play.

Struggling for so long to find an offensive identity, and perhaps though at the cost of some of their defense, they’ve managed to propel themselves up in the standings. And while in many other years before this one, where they previously sat in that seven or eight range wasn’t a problem, this isn’t those eras.

The Miami Heat have climbed out of the NBA Play-In territory, but they have to stay there. Can they continue to gain separation from the teams below them?

This is now the NBA Playoff Play-In Era. So, a lot rides on not being in those bottom four spots.

But here’s the thing, as the Miami Heat have a chance to separate themselves even further away from the Brooklyn Nets, while also climbing closer to the New York Knicks. After Miami beat the Knicks on Wednesday night, New York would travel across the state of Florida to then lose to Orlando on Thursday.

After losing to the Cavaliers on Tuesday, Isaac Okoro would sink a game-winning shot against the Brooklyn Nets to beat them again on Thursday. And this all happened before the Miami Heat have a chance to go up against the Nets on Saturday, while they face the New York Knicks again on the second leg of a back-to-back next Wednesday.

Things are looking up, but the Miami Heat still have to handle their business. But if their recent level of play is any indication, fueled by their leader in Jimmy Butler and his recent level of play, then that should be no problem.