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Coming off a surprise NBA Finals appearance, the Miami Heat are an improved team that remains poised to challenge for the Eastern Conference crown.
The Heat (20-14), who play at Phoenix on Friday, sit fourth in the Eastern Conference despite dealing with many injuries. Tyler Herro (23.3 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 4.4 APG) — who is playing the best basketball of his career — has missed 18 games and All-Stars Jimmy Butler (21 PPG, five RPG, 4.5 APG) and Bam Adebayo (21.7 PPG, 10.3 RPG, four APG) have each missed 10.
Two reasons injuries have not slowed the Heat are coaching — Erik Spoelstra remains the class of NBA coaches — and depth.
With the departure of Max Strus and Gabe Vincent in the offseason, questions were raised about Miami’s depth. But replacements Jaime Jaquez Jr. (13.8 PPG, 50.4 FG%), a rookie, and Josh Richardson (10 PPG) have proved to be upgrades.
Former NBA player JJ Redick, an analyst for ESPN, praised Jacquez Jr. earlier in the season, calling him one of the league’s top rookies.
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