The Los Angeles Lakers will be back on the court on Friday looking to extend their league-leading win-streak to seven games when they face off against one of the best teams from the Eastern Conference in the early season in the Miami Heat.
The Lakers have been riding the NBA’s best defense through their six-game win streak, which has helped them thrive despite a sluggish start on the offensive end. As for their opponents on Friday, they know plenty about defense as well. The Heat enter Friday coming off of a nice win at Phoenix last night and are now the NBA’s 4th ranked defense in terms of defensive rating.
That they have played such great defense and gone 6-2 over the first eight games without two of their key players for several games as Jimmy Butler and Justise Winslow have each played in only five of the Heat’s games this season. The Heat have succeeded because they’ve gotten strong contributions up and down the roster.
Bam Adebayo has been a monster on the defensive end while also dishing five assists per game at the center position and finishing well around the basket. Lottery pick Tyler Herro has been fantastic off the bench for Miami, while undrafted rookie Kendrick Nunn has taken over the starting point guard position and is averaging nearly 18 points per game while shooting 39 percent from 3. Offseason acquisition Meyers Leonard is currently shooting 68 (!) percent from the 3-point line so far this season and has started in all eight games.
Everyone knows to fear Butler at this point, but the Lakers success will be determined by how they’re able to combat what’s been a fantastic team in the early season.
