The Miami HEAT are 31-17, No. 1 in the Eastern Conference with the No. 5 Net Rating in the NBA at +4.9. Here’s what we’ve been noting and noticing.
THE FORMULA
You’ve probably noticed it without noticing it, but the HEAT have a formula.
The first quarter is all about shock and awe. Their unique and unorthodox defense, with switchers that yield no advantage and help from directions you aren’t expecting help and all sorts of bodies constantly in your way, hits teams like a brick in the face. In the first six minutes of the first quarter, the HEAT allow just 101.