As of so far in the 2015-2016 NBA season, the Miami Heat are 22-16 while standing 5th in the eastern conference division. This year’s eastern conference is more competitive than the earlier years with no other team dominating other than the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Miami Heat this season have shown improvement in team chemistry. Last year, the team acquired new key players; center Hassan Whiteside who was called up from the Sioux Falls D-League, point guard Goran Dragic from the Phoenix Suns, shooting guard Gerald Green who was also acquired from the Phoenix Suns, and Amare Stoudemire. However, the team’s chemistry was completely new, and as a result, the Miami Heat did not make the playoffs. During off-season, the players got a better understanding for the heat defense and offense and during the 2015-2016 season the heat chemistry had improved significantly. The Miami Heat’s record on January 11th, 2016 was 16-21, compared to last year’s season where it fell to a 22-16, there’s much improvement. This year the heat are among the top 10 teams for defensive efficiency holding opponents below 95.5 points a game. The percentage of rebounds sits at a 50% while their offensive rebound percentage sits at a 21%; their defensive rebounds average out at a 73%. The heat have slightly improved on rebounds, last years total rebound percentage was 48%. A key defensive player the heat depend on is Hassan Whiteside with 3.8 blocks per game and 11.1 rebounds per game as of 37 games played this season. While the Heat defense still needs improvement the Heats offence also has some work to be done to it. The Heat are slightly lacking behind the arc shooting a decent but not decent enough 33%. The Heat are 25th in the league in points per game with a 46% field goal percentage 33% 3-pointer percentage and a 73% free throw percentage. Miami still hasn’t finished the season but improvement has shown and while they still have 43 games to go they will continue on improving.
Have the Heat improved enough to make it to the playoffs?
