Just a few weeks ago, it looked like this season could be lost for the Miami Heat.
The team was struggling to be in the top 10 in the East and the idea of them making the playoffs in a few months seemed like a pipe dream.
But the new year has been good for the Heat and they have had a strong month.
The Heat currently have the #1 defense in January, and have climbed up to a tie for 4th on the season
— Brady Hawk (@BradyHawk305) January 25, 2023
For January, the Heat had the top defense in the league and have now tied for fourth on the season.
The hard work on defense has paid off in a big way: Miami is now the sixth team in the East with a 27-22 record.
January has provided the Heat with a few big, crucial wins for the team.
They defeated the Los Angeles Clippers, Phoenix Suns, Milwaukee Bucks (twice), and New Orleans Pelicans.
Then on Tuesday, they pulled off a close win against the Boston Celtics.
That win over the Celtics happened without Jimmy Butler, who was out with an injury but is planning to return for Miami’s next game.
The Heat are hoping to pull off a few more wins in the near future, with games scheduled against the Orlando Magic, Charlotte Hornets, and Cleveland Cavaliers.
Butler is returning, Bam Adebayo is playing like an All-Star, and bench players like Haywood Highsmith and Victor Oladipo are also making their presences known.
Now people are wondering if a great January will spill over into February and the months beyond.
Everyone knew that the Heat had the talent and experience but they didn’t know if they’d be able to fight through the rest of the East.
They are now trending in the right direction and could make the rest of the season very interesting.
NEXT: Heat Big Man Bam Adebayo Is Reaching New Heights
