Copyright Newsweek
The Miami Heat were supposed to start some sort of rebuilding process after trading six-time All-Star forward Jimmy Butler midway through last season. But they have been fairly competitive to start this season. They currently have a 4-4 record, which puts them in ninth place in the Eastern Conference. They currently rank fourth in points per game, fourth in fast-break points per game and first in pace, and they have done so even though guard Tyler Herro, arguably their biggest offensive weapon, hasn't played yet after undergoing foot surgery in September. Big man Bam Adebayo has been a big factor in Miami's decent start. However, he will not be in action on Friday when it takes on the Charlotte Hornets in its first game of Emirates NBA Cup group play. "Miami Heat star big man Bam Adebayo has been ruled out of Friday's game against the Charlotte Hornets with a left big toe sprain," wrote Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN. "The Heat said Adebayo underwent an MRI, which revealed the toe sprain, and is listed as day-to-day." Read more: 76ers’ Joel Embiid Calls Out NBA Over Fine Adebayo played just eight minutes on Wednesday in a 122-112 loss to the Denver Nuggets because of his toe injury. But he has played well to start the season, and he has expanded his offensive horizons a bit. He's averaging 19.9 points and 8.1 rebounds a game, and he's even attempting 5.9 3-point shots a game, which is by far a career high, while shooting 34% from that distance. The Heat, however, should be able to defeat the perpetually hapless Hornets, who have a 3-5 record, without the three-time All-Star. Guard Norman Powell, whom they acquired in an offseason trade, is pacing them in scoring with an average of 23.2 points a game and is shooting a sizzling 51.7% from 3-point range. Veteran forward Andrew Wiggins, acquired in February's Butler trade, is putting up 17 points a game, and third-year man Jaime Jaquez Jr. has elevated his game to the tune of 17.4 points, 6.3 rebounds and 4.3 assists a contest. Read more: Analyst Urges Struggling NBA Team to ‘Blow it Up’ Of course, the Heat are renowned for their championship-caliber culture, and that culture has allowed them to win games they were thought to have no business being competitive in for years.
