The Miami Heat are playing fast. And, interestingly enough, it could be a huge key to emerging as a surprising team in the Eastern Conference this season. Over the next few weeks, and into the regular season, we'll find out if this start is a mirage or not, but there has been a concerted effort from the Heat to play with more pace.
Sure, it may only be two preseason games, and half of the team's likely rotation has been out with an injury, but you have to like the signs that are beginning to appear for the team. Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra said there needed to be some changes to the offense, and we're seeing one of the big ones.
Through the first two games of preseason, the Heat have been without Tyler Herro (who is expected to miss the first month of the season), Davion Mitchell, Pelle Larsson, Terry Rozier, and Kasparas Jakucionis. So there's still much proving to do once they get a bit healthier. However, the early results are promising.
What the stats say
Through these two preseason games, the Heat have a top-3 pace of play in the NBA. It's understandable that most teams aren't playing their regular rotations, but the effort is certainly evident.
Whether the Heat can keep this up once their regulars return remains to be seen, but Bam Adebayo didn't hide the obvious before the team's game against the Milwaukee Bucks when he said one of the team's goals this season is to play with a much better pace.
Interestingly enough, the quicker pace hasn't exactly unlocked the Heat's overall offense just yet. Even while playing at one of the fastest paces in the league at the moment, Miami's offensive rating is still below average.
You'd have to imagine much of that has to do with the fact that the Heat is probably playing without four rotation pieces, and that their starters are playing minimal minutes, but it's something to keep a close eye on.
Pace of play doesn't always equate to a better overall offense, but more possessions per game generally gives the team a better shot to improve on that end of the floor.
It's still relatively early, and the regular season hasn't even begun yet, but there's reason to believe that this change could be here to stay for the Heat. Miami will certainly have to prove it when the games start mattering, but Spo does seem to believe that they need to play faster this season.
And with the way this roster is currently constructed, it will probably give them the best chance to be competitive this year in the East. Through two preseason games, they're doing just that.