The Miami HEAT are 29-16, percentage points behind the top seed in the Eastern Conference, and have the No. 5 Net Rating in the NBA at plus-4.7. Here’s what we’ve been noting and noticing.
BAM IS BACK, SO IS MIAMI'S DEFENSE
From December 1 to January 15, the 22 game stretch that Bam Adebayo was out after undergoing surgery on his left thumb, the Miami HEAT were the No. 12 defense in the NBA with a Defensive Rating of 109.8 – a number that would rank No. 19 in the league for the entire season.
In a vacuum you may scoff at that ranking, or at least find it unremarkable.