It’s amazing to think on February 3rd, the Miami Heat was in a race to the top of the Eastern Conference with the New York Knicks.
Fast forward 22 games and the Heat has been undefeated in all of those starts, they now sit a dominant 11 and a half games clear of second placed Indiana Pacers, 15 games ahead of the Chicago Bulls and 18 games ahead of the Milwaukee Bucks.
I doubted the Heat, before this incredible streak they looked dogged and tired. They were comprehensively beaten by a young Indiana Pacers a team looking hungrier than they did.
Dwayne Wade couldn’t get a basket, the front court was too small and couldn’t get a rebound and the rumours were circulating that Lebron James was on for a move back to Cleveland.
But that has all changed – the Heat are putting up big numbers and since February 2, especially Lebron, who in February averaged 29.7 points, 7.5 rebounds, 7.8 assists, shooting 64 percent, including 43 percent from beyond the arc.
The Heat have the sixth-best defence in the league, allowing 99.8 points per 100 possessions. With the exception of a few close games, the Heat have been beating opponents by 11.7 points a game.
If the Heat wants outright second on the all-time list of win streaks in the NBA, they are going to have to get past one of their biggest rivals in the Boston Celtics, who were one of the last teams to beat the Heat.
With the Celtics’ star centre Kevin Garnett possibly not playing, the Heat might streak past the Celtics and into the history books with the second longest win streak ever, eclipsing the 07-08 Houston Rockets, who also managed 22 wins in a row.
After Boston, Miami’s next four games are against teams with losing records and of their next 10 games, only three are against teams with a winning record.
It appears history could be rewritten.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Green played possibly as good as he could play for the Celtics yesterday. Plus for the Heat to be playing the way they have on the road is quite impressive. The spurs won't beat the Heat without Parker, they only just squeaked past the Cavs the other day and not long before that were blown out by the Trailblazers at home.
Johnno
Guest
1985-6 boston celtics were pretty good. Lakers of 1988 were handy too. Pistons of 89-90 were awesome.
Frankie Hughes
Guest
Please.... Miami limped past a Boston side missing their premier players Rodon and Garnett. The Spurs will cut the Heat down to size
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Stopping Wilt? What about stopping Lebron James? Regardless a match between the two would've been a dream game!
Jared
Guest
Who would stop LeBron on that Lakers team?
astro
Guest
That's what's so good about Miami...they wouldn't have to 'stop' Wilt. They've solved the problem of not being 'big enough' by making their perimeter defense water tight, their rotations clinical, and their ball movement (when on offense) so effective that the opposing 'big man' ends up guarding no one, or being dragged out into the mid-court to stop Bosh's jumpers. Besides stopping Wilt would be relatively easy for any modern team...He shot an amazing 53% from the free throw line in 71-72...so Hack-a-Wilt would be in full effect!
astro
Guest
Sorry Frankie, but you can't call this Heat team "over hyped" anymore. They are the real deal. Their offense is virtually unstoppable when their role players are making their 3's, and their defense (especially on the perimeter) is brutal during critical stretches.
Cam Larkin
Roar Guru
I know, you can't compare. But it's an interesting talking point.
mushi
Roar Guru
Could say the same about Bron and Wade... Very tough to compare teams across eras
Cam Larkin
Roar Guru
My article on TheRoar today ... http://www.theroar.com.au/2013/03/19/celtics-aiming-to-end-miamis-22-game-streak/
Frankie Hughes
Guest
Just read that Kevin Garnett is gonna miss the match... Heat have got all the luck on their side at present...
Cam Larkin
Roar Guru
Stopping Wilt would be an impossible task for the Heat ... seriously, who would you put on him? Bosh? Although he is a very good player, he'd have no chance.
Frankie Hughes
Guest
The 1971-72 Lakers side was way better than this over hyped Heat side Come on Celtics put the Heat in their place.