NBA Power Rankings: Can Lakers, Nets flip the switch for the stretch run?

3. Miami Heat

The Miami Heat have been quite impressive all season long and are currently tied for first place in the Eastern Conference standings. They’ve failed to fade in the standings even without Bam Adebayo for almost two months of the season.

The Heat has proven that they can play with the best of the teams in the league and will have one of the stingiest defenses in the playoffs. The one wildcard for the team heading into the playoffs is the return of Victor Oladipo.

If Oladipo can be is even 70 percent of his former self, he should be able to give the Heat some depth to the backcourt that will be valuable in the postseason.