Are the "Playoffs Heat" a thing?
Can the Miami Heat flip the switch again this season, making another run deep into the playoffs and possibly back to the Finals?
Let's explore.
History repeats itself
According to ESPN BET, the Heat are tied with the Knicks for the third-shortest odds to win the East at +1100, far behind the favored Celtics (-125) and Bucks (+310) and just ahead of the Cavaliers (+1200) and 76ers (+1500).
Overall, the Heat are tied with the Mavericks for the ninth-shortest odds to win the Championship at +3000, again far longer odds than the favorites (Celtics +225, Nuggets +375, Clippers +550) in a cluster of lower tier favorites including the Lakers and Timberwolves (+2500) as well as the Knicks (+3500), 76ers (+3500), Cavaliers (+4000) and Warriors (+4000).