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The Miami Heat with new additions start the second half of the season on the edge of thesixth seed
After 59 games and an All-Star break in Miami's 2023 campaign, the Heat sit closely near a
playoff spot in the East Conference as the seventh seed with a 32-27 record. However, that
could easily change with 23 regular season games remaining.
Miami during the All-Star break signed two new additions to its roster in the frontcourt by signing
veteran forwards Kevin Love and Cody Zeller Feb. 20. The new pieces to the roster create
multiple options for Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra to collaborate with two-time All-Star forward
Bam Adebayo.
Love, a five-time All-Star and crucial piece to the Cleveland Cavaliers 2016 championship run,
opens the floor for Miami with his ability to shoot beyond the perimeter. Miami currently shoots
33.4% from 3-point range as a team; 28th in the league.
The former UCLA Bruin is expected to be a part of the Heat’s potential starting rotation. The
move will replace Miami forward Caleb Martin. Martin has been the designated starter at the
four spot throughout the first half of this season.
Unfortunately for the Heat, playing in a conference that houses a majority of the NBA’s elite big
men such as Philadelphia 76ers forward Joel Embiid and Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis
Antetukoumpo, the 6-foot-5-inch forward has struggled to defend at the low block next to the
basket when posted up against opponents.
Love’s 6-foot-8-inch, 247 pound, frame will aid in Miami’s defense by putting size alongside
Adebayo in the paint.
Zeller is expected to follow behind Love and Adebayo off of the bench and replace the reserve
role previously held by forward Dewayne Dedmon, who was traded to the San Antonio Spurs
with a 2028 second-round pick.
He was waived shortly after the trade by San Antonio and signed with the 76ers Feb. 13.
Zeller, a 30-year-old veteran with 10 years of NBA experience, is a pure non-spacing forward
that can only work within the key. This could mean Adebayo will have to share the rock inside
whenever Zeller comes onto the court.
Heat forward Jimmy Butler coming out of the All-Star break continues to keep Miami alive in
late-game situations by clawing his way atop of the scorers chart almost every game. He leads
the team with 21.7 points per game.
Butler has become a vital piece for the Heat on both sides of the court in the midst of his fourth
year with the team.
He contributes 2 steals per game and his ability to defend multiple positions aids Miami to hold
opponents below 108.3 points per game; the second best in the league.
Despite the standout year by JB, Adebayo was the lone All-Star for the Heat this year. Coming
into the second half of the season he averages 21.6 points and 10 rebounds per game.
Bam has continued his offensive consistency by elevating his mid-range shot and attacking
more players when in isolation. He plays 35 minutes per game, which allows him to score
double-digit points in all 54 games he has appeared in this season.
With only half a game behind the New York Knicks — who sit in the sixth seed at 33-27 —
Miami potentially could leave the questions of a NBA Play-in Tournament scenario behind them.
Act two of the Heat’s season starts Friday at 7:30 p.m. against an injured Milwaukee squad at
the Fiserv Forum. Antetokounmpo is doubtful to play with a wrist sprain he acquired Feb. 16 in
Chicago.
Written by: Brandon Hernandez
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