NBA Power Rankings: Miami Heat is fading; Boston Celtics rising

Boston Celtics Jayson Tatum (David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports)
Boston Celtics Jayson Tatum (David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports)
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Miami Heat
Miami Heat Jimmy Butler (Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports)

7. Miami Heat

There is a concerning trend that has surrounded this Miami Heat team all season long. They struggle in close games and, for one reason or another, have struggled on that front mightily over the past few weeks.

Unlike a few other teams in the top 10, the Heat is not playing its best basketball heading into the postseason and that is not ideal. The hope is that this team is good enough to figure it out before the playoffs, but time is running out.

Miami needs to right the ship before it’s too late. And with a possible first-round playoff matchup with the Brooklyn Nets on the horizon, it’s hard to feel great about this team’s chances to make a deep playoff run.