While waiting for the opening of the regular season on October 18, We Sport offers you an overview of the thirty franchises that will compete for the title in the NBA. Honor today to the Eastern Conference finalists last season: the Miami Heat.
The record of the Miami Heat last season
Despite an end to the season which could have suggested a demonstration of Miami in the regular season, it is necessary to underline the rise in power of the Florida franchise throughout the season. Rather interesting but without real series at the start of the season, the spring smiled on the Heat before reaching the playoffs by finishing first in the Eastern Conference.
With a record of 53 wins and 29 losses in the regular season, the Heat meet the Atlanta Hawks in the first round of the Eastern playoffs for a series where Erik Spoelstra’s men have never trembled to win the series four wins to one. Facing Joel Embiid’s Philadelphia Sixers, the conference semi-final is the Florida defense that made the difference to qualify Jimmy Butler’s teammates for the conference final against the Celtics, their runner-up in the regular season.
In terms of individual performances, a trio stood out offensively, Jimmy Butler and Tyler Herro who ended their season with an average of more than twenty points per game. The “Big Men” Bam Adebayo also had a very good season in attack but especially in defense with more than ten rebounds per game. In the game, the contribution of Kyle Lowry has been very valuable for the one who has accumulated an average of 7.5 assists per game over the season.
The Miami Heat Free Agency
With very few departures recorded this summer apart from that of veteran PJ Tucker who declined the offer made by the Florida club to the tune of $7.35 million for the season, the Miami Heat have clearly strengthened in quantity and in quality before tackling this new season.
Signed very early in early July, the Free Agency allowed the Miami Heat to strengthen with three contracts of choice including an arrival. The arrival is that of Victor Oladipo for a period of two years in order to complete a roster which will be largely retained, like the extensions of Caleb Martin and Dewayne Dedmon for three and two seasons respectively.
The Tyler Herro file was also settled at the beginning of October with a very big contract of nearly $ 121 million over the next four seasons and thus continue in the franchise which had drafted him three seasons ago.
The Heat’s 2022-2023 roster
Leaders : Tyler Herro, Kyle Lowry, Gabe Vincent
Rears : Jamaree Bouyea, Marcus Garrett, Victor Oladipo, Duncan Robinson, Dru Smith, Max Strus
Wingers : Caleb Martin, Nikola Jovic, Haywood Highsmith, Darius Days, Jamal Cain
Power wingers : Udonis Haslem, Jimmy Butler
Pivots: Bam Adebayo, Dewayne Dedmon, Omer Yurtseven, Orlando Robinson
coach : Erik Spoelstra
Miami’s ambitions
After a very positive season that allowed the Heat to finish the last fiscal year in first position in the Eastern Conference, it should still be mentioned that the team seems to have “overperformed” if we analyze its workforce last year against other teams in the conference.
With a significant reinforcement this summer and major players retained, Miami will therefore have the ambition to finish in the top four of its conference to ensure the playoffs and the advantage of the field.
As for the “post-season”, it is clear that the Heat will have NBA Finals ambitions this season to extend a very positive series over the past few years. With four places in the playoffs obtained over the last five seasons, the Heat ended up giving in to the Lakers, Bucks and finally the Celtics over the last three seasons.
If the start of the season will be essential to get the season off to a good start, Miami will also have to avoid negative series during the “road trips” in November, especially after a start to the season which will begin with four home games at the FTX Arena.
Player to watch: Tyler Herro
After three first seasons where the performances of the young drafted by Miami have only improved for a growing influence on the game of his team. For the first time this summer, the Heat point guard signed his first big contract to land the fourth-highest salary in the squad behind superstars Butler, Adebayo and Lowry.
Very well surrounded this season by these last three and possibly a Victor Oladipo who is a reinforcement who should offer him many solutions in the offensive phases and thus allow the player who passed through Kentucky to improve his average number of passes per game.
The Miami Heat Schedule 2022/2023
• 19/10: Chicago Bulls @ Miami Heat
• 27/10: Miami Heat @ Golden State Warriors
• 28/12: Los Angeles Lakers @ Miami Heat
• 01/16: Miami Heat @ Atlanta Hawks (MLK Day)
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