From the Bottom of the East to Slowly Rising to the Top are the Miami Heat
If there is one team that did not want the all-star break to approach, it would be the Miami Heat. The Heat are on a roll and have won 14 of their last 16 games. Miami went from the abyss of the Eastern conference with no way out to right in the thick of the eastern conference playoff race. A team that was once 11-30 at the start of January 17 are now 25-32 and just two games behind the Detroit Pistons for the eighth and final playoff spot. Fans are shocked and amazed with the Heat right now.
Long time Heat fan and Miami native Frosnet Cine said, “When we lost Wade to the Bulls I was skeptical about how this season would go. Then when the Heat got off to the slow start I figured this season was headed down the drain. After I seen them go on the thirteen game win streak I realized that Pat Riley and Coach Spo (Erik Spoelstra) know what they are doing and I should never doubt them.”
During this streak, the Heat have been beaten some pretty good teams. Some of which include the Atlanta Hawks, the Houston Rockets(twice), and the team with the best record in the NBA the Golden State Warriors. But how is Miami actually accomplishing all of this?
“Defense Man, defense. You know it all starts with defense. Everybody wants to talk about offense man but we’re building our defense” stated Whiteside during his post game interview on February 8 after the Heat’s 106-88 road victory over the Milwaukee Bucks. This statement came after Whiteside was asked the question how are the Heat getting it done.
Whiteside who is averaging 16.8 points per game, 14.1 rebounds and 2.1 blocks this season was snubbed for the all-star game mostly due to the NBA taking the center spot off the ballot. However, Whiteside could careless as he says he will continue to work and put up numbers regardless if he is an all-star or not. His main goal is for the Heat to continue winning and hopefully make the playoffs.
Once the all-star break is over, the Miami Heat will look to continue the momentum they had prior to the break. Their next game is on Friday, February 24 at the Atlanta Hawks.
