4. Miami Heat
Of their first 17 games through the first quarter of the season, the Miami Heat has faced 13 projected playoff teams. The fact that the Heat is still a top 3 team in the Eastern Conference should tell you all you need about this team’s championship chances.
Miami has a stout defense and their offense should only get better as the season progresses. Kyle Lowry has had a bigger impact on the team than the stats would suggest and Bam Adebayo’s early-season aggressiveness is commendable.
Even through their difficult schedule, the team has also had to deal with an injury here and there; still, Miami has found a way to make it all work. The Heat is a true contender and shouldn’t be slept on.