DOG BAG (1/9)

A few, current storylines in the Association…

Miami is 4th in the EAST!? 

Don't look now: Miami has vaulted to 4th in the East! Despite a variety of injuries throughout the year, Coach Erik Spoelstra's done a(nother) masterful job maximizing lineups and finding different ways to win. 

Miami's missed Hassan Whiteside for a stretch of time, James Johnson is just returning from injury & Justise Winslow, Dion Waiters + Okaro White all remain out with injury. Still, the HEAT are riding a 5-game winning streak, have won 8 outta 10.

During the streak, Goran Dragic is avg. 21.6 points, 7.4 dimes & 6 boards/night -- plus, role players Kelly Olynyk & Wayne Ellington (GW layup last night @ TOR).

MIA has the depth to make noise and continue climbing up the standings - what will they look like at full strength?

POR & OKC Flip Flop in Playoff Race

Without Damian Lillard, the CJ McCollum-led Blazers got it done @ OKC. The W moved Portland to 22-18 - OKC dropped to 22-19, 5th out West.

McCollum, Jusuf Nurkic + Shabazz Napier! combined for 68! points last night: Portland's offense hasn't missed a beat in games w/o Lillard. Napier's stepped up his play as a starter: avg. 18.7 points, 4.8 boards & 4.8 dimes/night in 6 games.

His ability to penetrate, score & keep defenders honest from deep mirrors Lillard's in a way - CJ has less pressure when Napier provides a nice complement. 

It'll be a fight for positioning all year long, w/ spots 4-8 interchangeable, seemingly up for grabs. OKC must avoid "trap games" (like this one) in the future if they're to bounce back* in the standings.

*"bounce back" as in return to 4th place or higher

If The Season Ended Today...

• BOS (W6) is on the longest current winning streak 
• MIA (4) would face WAS (5) in the first round
• ATL (10-30) would have the highest odds at the 1st pick