Over the past few years, the Heat have quietly become an NBA powerhouse. But two seasons removed from a surprising run to the Bubble NBA Finals, Miami now looks like a clear favorite to make a return trip to the league’s main stage. At 42-22 and a comfortable first place in a gauntlet Eastern Conference, the sky is the limit for a talented core led by Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo, Kyle Lowry, and Tyler Herro. They’re deep, coached by a fantastic leader in Erik Spoelstra, and battle-tested:
Essentially everything you want out of a team in spring. And they’re about to get a massive boost from the return of someone no one should have forgotten: Victor Oladipo.
The rich only get richer.
Victor Oladipo and the Miami Heat plan for the two-time All-Star to make his season debut on Monday against the Houston Rockets, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 4, 2022
It’s been a long road back to playing shape for the 29-year-old Oladipo. The guard last played for the Heat last May before he tore a quad muscle. Given the nature of such an injury, no one should expect him to get off the bus running and gunning immediately. But if Miami can get even an occasional semblance of a former two-time All-Star, the best team in the East looks unstoppable on paper.
According to Tipico Sportsbook, the Heat have +500 odds to win the East, making them a comfortable favorite. They’re also, without Oladipo, +1200 to win the NBA title. If Oladipo brings anything of significance to the table, probably off the bench, expect those numbers to tilt even more toward their favor.
It was already tough to envision any topping Miami in the East playoffs. A healthy Oladipo makes that potential reality seem like an inevitability.
Gannett may earn revenue from Tipico for audience referrals to betting services. Tipico has no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. See Tipico.com for Terms and Conditions. 21+ only. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO).
