3 Reasons why Miami Heat can contend for the 2021-22 NBA Championship

Miami Heat celebrate their 2020 Eastern Conference win
Miami Heat celebrate their 2020 Eastern Conference win

#2 Offensive potential

Bam Adebayo (left) with Jimmy Butler (right)
Bam Adebayo (left) with Jimmy Butler (right)

The Miami Heat have arguably the most underrated offense in the league. Due to the lack of isolation players, or players that completely rely on self-created plays, the Heat have developed a style of scoring that is a thing of beauty. The team believes in the philosophy of creating offense as a team and not as an individual.

One of the few teams in the current league that has ball movement reminiscent of the 2017-18 Golden State Warriors, the Miami Heat averaged 108.1 points per game in the 2020-21 season. At the same time, they were also able to force 14.1 turnovers every game.

The Miami team led the league in the 2020-21 season in potential assists. They averaged an incredible 51.4 potential assists per game along with a solid 26.3 assists per game. The Heatles were also one of the top teams in terms of points created through assists with a 69 per game tally.

However, with the upcoming season, the Jimmy Butler-led team has become even more of an offensive threat than they already were. While Butler has continuously evolved as a lethal scorer, the combination of Kyle Lowry, Bam, and Tyler Herro will create more options and opportunities on offense for the team.

What they lacked on the perimeter can also now be handled by Lowry, Duncan Robinson and Herro, who are all reliable and deadly three-point shooters. With the pass-heavy style of play and pre-drawn extensive screening, the Miami Heat's downtown shooters can rain down three-pointers or create enough fear in their opponents to open up the paint for quick post-up shots and layups.


#3 The combination of Lowry and Butler

Kyle Lowry has joined the Miami Heat
Kyle Lowry has joined the Miami Heat

It might come as a surprise to many readers to see the combination of Lowry and Butler mentioned as one of the reasons for the Miami Heat's championship aspirations. However, those who saw Butler's command over the 2019-20 Miami Heat team and Lowry's impact on the 2018-19 Toronto Raptors will understand our reasons for highlighting this.

The two are experienced playmakers. They bring to the team more than just their skill sets, scoring abilities and passing acumen. They bring their game sense and their battle experience. With Lowry and Butler setting up plays and controlling offense and defense, the Miami Heat can contend for the 2021-22 NBA Championship.

Quick Links

App download animated image Get the free App now