Let’s preview the second half of the NBA season for the Miami Heat. The Heat will go through an “adventure race-type” of journey as they will face games where they must prove to themselves that they are worthy to compete for the NBA title, games that challenge their morale and games that can sink them in pits. If they are successful getting through this “adventure race,” they will be Eastern Conference Champions again. Steve Purciello writes about team expectations in this article here on our site.
“Prove It” games for Miami Heat in the second half
The Heat have to play at Denver at the end of the month and then face Denver again at home in Downtown Miami. They face Dallas and Oklahoma City in a back-to-back in between the Denver games. Double losses could send them reeling but two wins could have them super confident. After this, they have a game at Philly where the 76ers will be wanting pay back for the beat down Miami handed them before the break (Kyle Lowry reunion game.)
Then a home against against the Knicks who kicked the bajeezus out of Miami at the Garden. A home game against Philly and finally at Indiana–a place where the Heat rarely win. If the Heat win these, “Prove It” games, then the team will galvanize and be ready to win the NBA Championship. If they lose the majority of these games, then the players on the team will merely think of the end of the season and vacation. I pick the Heat to win five out of the eight.
Morale games for the Miami Heat in the second half
These “Morale games” are important because they will give the team confidence for the “Prove It games.” Check out this article here from givemesport.com on why Miami will make a 2nd half turnaround. The Heat go to New Orleans to play Zion as the first game of the second half. New Orleans is in the Top 5 in the Western Conference. They play Sacramento on the road–a place they have not played well. De’Aaron Fox didn’t play well in Miami and will want payback.
On March 20, they play the Cavaliers on the road in a potential first round matchup. They then go home and play New Orleans, Cleveland and Golden State–All playoff teams, all at home. Check this article here from Clutchpoints.com on their bold predictions for the Heat. The Heat haven’t played well at all at home this season. They go to Houston and Atlanta in April when the season is winding down and get Dallas at home. I pick the Heat to win seven out of the nine games.
Pitfall games for the Miami Heat in the second half
Most important in the second half, is the need to win games against below .500 teams. The Heat do not need these bad losses. These pitfalls games occur in between “Prove It” games and “Morale” games so they could catch the players tired and unfocused, slowing momentum. The first test is in Portland on the second night of a back to back. Then, after playing Utah at home from the road trip, they play Detroit.
The Heat have to beat Utah and not underestimate them and then beat Detroit. They get Washington in a trap game after the “Prove It” games at Dallas and Oklahoma City. They face a double trap game playing Detroit twice on the road in mid-March. Finally, a brutal piece of quicksand, playing Portland at home and then at Washington to finish March. The month of April is motivating with “Prove It” and “Morale” games but then Toronto awaits to finish the season in a two-game series. Toronto ran the Heat out of Scotiabank Arena last time they played. I pick the Heat to win eight out of the nine.
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