The HEAT are 43-22, No. 1 in the Eastern Conference with a three-game lead on No. 2 and a Net Rating of plus-4.9, which ranks No. 5 in the league. They’ve beaten Chicago, Brooklyn and Philadelphia all in the past week – with significant absences on both sides in each game – and are about to play 10 of their next 11 at home (League Pass). Here’s what we’ve been noting and noticing.
BOX-AND-DURANT, EXCEPT NOT
It’s been a while since we’ve seen our old friend the zone. Since that shorthanded December 15 game when the HEAT used 47 zone possessions to flummox the Philadelphia 76ers, the HEAT only used zone for more than 20 possessions once (in a 30-point loss to Boston) headed into Thursday’s matchup with Brooklyn.