If the Miami Heat are getting to the NBA playoffs, it will be on the back of Dwyane Wade. Meanwhile Kawhi Leonard is doing the same thing for the San Antonio Spurs who are surging at just the right time. While this rematch of the 2014 NBA Finals lacks some luster with LeBron James gone and Chris Bosh out for the season, it certainly holds implications for the playoffs as both teams fight for position in their respective conferences.
The Spurs are on a hot streak right now as the inch their way up the Western Conference standings. They are winners of their last 13 of 16 games while winning by an average of 23.7 points on a three-game streak. The reigning NBA champions are currently sitting in sixth place in the playoff standings with nine games left to play. Ideally they would like to move up a few spots while they need one more win to secure a playoff berth regardless. Fresh off a win over the Memphis Grizzlies, the Spurs have Leonard to thank for some of their success.
Leonard is picking the right time to play well has he continues to lead the team averaging 18.7 points on 51.8 percent shooting in his last six games. Against the Grizzlies, he put up 15 of his 25 points in the fourth quarter to seal the win while going 6 of 7 in the final 12 minutes of play. The Miami Heat are certainly well aware of what Leonard brings to the court, having no answer for him during last season's NBA Finals. He averaged 23.7 points on 68.6 percent shooting in the final three games which sealed the title for the Spurs.
The Heat currently sit in seventh place in the Eastern Conference standings while five teams battle for the final two spots in the playoffs. Currently on a five-game home court win streak, the Heat are hoping that plays to their advantage as they face the Spurs. Fresh off a win over the Detroit Pistons, Wade carried the team with 40 points, 19 coming in the fourth quarterback. Udonis Haslem also stepped up in a big way with 18 points and 13 rebounds. That type of play has helped the Heat overcome injuries to players like Hassan Whiteside and Chris Andersen who both remain out. Wade is averaging 30.1 points on 51.7 percent shooting in his last eight home games and hopes to keep the momentum going.
