Just a couple of weeks ago, the Miami Heat looked as though they were on the verge of collapse. Now, they’ve righted the ship and are well on course for the no. 1 seed in the East.
With that in mind, it’s time for our weekly assessment of the Heat’s campaign to win a third straight NBA championship.
[sc:MultiSportArticles ]Will the Miami Heat Repeat as NBA Champions?
[sc:NBA240banner ]The Heat disposed of the New York Knicks 102-91 at home on Sunday, their fifth win in six games. That win coupled with another Pacers loss put Miami back up one game on Indiana for top spot in the Eastern Conference. The Heat are now +220 to retain their championship, improved from +250 last week.
It was a bounce-back game for the Heat, who fell in double-overtime at home against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday, their first home loss since mid-March and just their seventh all season.
Dwyane Wade missed his sixth-straight game against the Knicks, although his absence hasn’t been much of an issue. The Heat have gone 5-1 in that stretch without their star shooting guard, who could sit out until the end of the regular season.
Miami has used mid-season pick up Toney Douglas in the starting line-up, but his meager production (just 7 PPG) also highlights how the Heat need Flash back and ready to go for the playoffs.
Of course, it also helps that LeBron James is there to pick up the slack in Wade’s absence. James had his way with the Knicks, scoring 38 points on 59% shooting. It was James’ third 30+ point game in the last four games. He also shot 50% or better for the 11th-straight game.
The Heat have six games left on their regular season schedule. Their clash with the Pacers on April 11th is shaping up to be a tilt for the No. 1 seed in the East, which in turn would determine which team will have home court if and when the two meet in the Eastern Conference finals.
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