The Miami Heat are about to catch a significant break with their upcoming schedule. Considering how their last two weeks have gone, with more wins against good teams, the Heat could actually enter the upcoming stretch on some positive momentum.
Miami had a month of December that nearly sank them. That being said, given that the strength of the Eastern Conference, save for three or four teams, is not what it was last year, the Heat were able to survive going 5-8, which included a five-game losing streak and a three-game losing streak. January hasn't been all that consistent, either; however, lately, things have been looking up for Miami.
Despite a season of inconsistent basketball, injuries, and roster rotation roulette, the Heat are still in the thick of it, and ahead of their Tuesday night's matchup on the road against the Orlando Magic, the Heat have some good news ahead of them that could help with the remainder of the season as it relates to their schedule.
Heat are about to face more lesser teams than greater, which should help their season, not tank it
The Heat have already been on a bit of a roll in recent weeks. During a three-game homestand in mid-January, Miami went 2-1, with wins over current Western Conference playoff teams, the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns. Following that home stand, the Heat embarked on a five-game road stretch.
Wins against the Sacramento Kings, Utah Jazz, and the Suns again resulted in a 3-2 road stretch, but their two losses against the Golden State Warriors and Portland Trail Blazers were terrible and forgettable. Still, with winning records coming in both stretches, the Heat have looked better of late, and that's a good sign.
What has helped immensely is the play of Bam Adebayo, who, after going almost the entire month of December and into January unable to surpass 20 points per game, can't seem to score less than 20 points, and whose offense has completely flipped at a 360-degree turn. In the last 10 games, Adeybao has scored 22, 26, 32, 25, 30, 22, and 29 points.
It's been a complete turnaround for Bam and the Heat, and it's maybe about to get even better. Miami's schedule is about to get easier for them, at least as far as their competition is concerned. After the Magic on Tuesday, Miami will face the Chicago Bulls in three consecutive games (one being a make-up game after their previous canceled matchup). Those three games could go either way, but if Miami can steal at least two of the three, that would be a success.
After that Bulls stretch, and a quick stop in Boston to face the Celtics, Miami will play lower-standing teams for six straight games: The Washington Wizards, Utah Jazz, New Orleans Pelicans, Atlanta Hawks, Memphis Grizzlies, and the Milwaukee Bucks. Granted, depending on whether Giannis Antetokounmpo and Ja Morant are available for their teams when Miami takes them on, things could change.
That said, hypothetically, if those two stars are not available, the Heat's chances of winning are much greater. The month of February appears to be a kind one for Miami, at least as far as their schedule is concerned, and if they play well, it could change the trajectory of their season for the better.