Eastern Conference power rankings: How far have the Heat fallen?

It could be worse for the Miami Heat. A 2-4 start to the season isn’t ideal, but it’s important to note that Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo and Kevin Love have missed games, Caleb Martin hasn’t played yet this season, and so it’s been hard to get a read on what this team really is. It’s also true that the Heat are older, struggle to score consistently and have some holes on the roster. The Heat aren’t the best team in the East, but they aren’t the worst. Let’s take a look at how the Heat measure up with this week’s Eastern Conference NBA power rankings.

The Clear Favorites

1. Boston Celtics (Last: 1)
Record: 5-0
ORTG: 124.7 (1st); DRTG: 106.5 (7th); NET: 18.1 (1st)

For the first time this season, the Celtics, are in a tier to themselves. They’ve separated themselves from the Milwaukee Bucks (the preseason No. 1 in this space) and the rest of the league as the only undefeated team remaining. The starting five of Jrue Holiday, Derrick White, Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and Kristaps Porzingis is blitzing teams by 37.3 points every 100 possessions. Shooting variance has helped tilt things Boston’s way — the Celtics are making 38.9% of their 42.2 3-point attempts per game while opponents are shooting just 33.7% from distance — but there’s no denying the talent here. Tatum is taking advantage of all the space, averaging 30.2 points per game on 55% shooting.

Contenders

2. Philadelphia 76ers (Last: 3)
Record: 4-1
ORTG: 117.3 (5th); DRTG: 105.5 (4th); NET: 11.8 (2nd)

3. Milwaukee Bucks (Last: 2)
Record: 3-2
ORTG: 112.0 (12th); DRTG: 116.0 (25th); NET: -4.1 (23rd)

The Bucks falling into the second tier with the 76ers is a response to Milwaukee’s inconsistency and Philadelphia’s impressive start.

Starting with the Bucks, the Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard two-man game has yet to take shape. What was supposed to be a turn-key solution has taken time and Giannis is not setting as many screens for Lillard as most expected.

Brook Lopez has actually become the primary screen-setter for Lillard, which often forces Giannis to find other ways to be useful in the minutes the two share the floor. The Bucks are being outscored by 5.7 points every 100 possessions when their two best players on the court together. What’s more is that the defense, a strength when guided by Mike Budenholzer and Jrue Holiday, has been one of the worst units in the league this season. The Bucks knew a step back defensively was coming when they traded Holiday for Lillard, but the offense hasn’t been good enough yet to justify the swap. But there’s still plenty of time left and the bet here is that Giannis and Lillard figure it out.

Since losing to the Bucks on opening night, the 76ers have won four in a row, taking down the Raptors (twice), Blazers and Suns (without Devin Booker or Bradley Beal). The schedule hasn’t been difficult (and the lowly Wizards come into town Monday night) but the Sixers have looked like the real deal. Joel Embiid is being unleashed as a playmaker under Nick Nurse and Tyrese Maxey has taken the reigns of the backcourt. Tobias Harris and Kelly Oubre Jr. have played well on the wings (both in a contract year) and there are reinforcements on the way after the Sixers traded James Harden to the Clippers for Marcus Morris Sr., Nic Batum, Robert Covington, Kenyon Martin Jr. and draft picks.