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NBA Week 13 Rewind: Warriors put Cavaliers in their place

By Tom West

Jan 18, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) reacts beside Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) in the third quarter at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 18, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) reacts beside Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) in the third quarter at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 22, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Miami Heat forward Chris Bosh (1) on the bench during a break in the action against the Toronto Raptors at the Air Canada Centre. Toronto defeated Miami 101-81. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 22, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Miami Heat forward Chris Bosh (1) on the bench during a break in the action against the Toronto Raptors at the Air Canada Centre. Toronto defeated Miami 101-81. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports /

Who’s Struggling?

The Miami Heat are this week’s team of focus when it comes to the struggling franchises around the NBA. Even though a host of injuries have started weighing them down even further, it’s just another element of their season that’s seen them go from a potential top three team in the East to the 8th seed.

It’s not only the last week with a 0-3 record that’s send the Heat to the bottom of the playoff picture, though. Since December 25, they have a 7-10 record and rank 23rd in the league for net rating (-3.7). Yes, injuries have impacted them at times, but they still look like they’re going to have to claw their way into the playoffs.

They still rank 6th in defensive efficiency, and even though Hassan Whiteside has missed three of their last 11 games they still have the pieces in place that should hold their own. Specifically Justise Winslow when it comes to defending the perimeter or going into smaller lineups. In their last 10 contests, four opponents (including the Warriors, Clippers and Raptors) have reached 100 points, so they haven’t been too troubled in that department — even if it’s a decline from earlier in the season.

The real problem is on offense, which is where the Heat have looked lost.

To make a comparison that all fans will hate to hear, the Heat have been worse offensively than the Philadelphia 76ers for the last month. It isn’t even close either. Since December 25, the 76ers are averaging 100.6 points per game, while the Heat rank 29th in the league with an ice-cold 93.5.

We could delve further into the collapse of the Cavs right now after the Blatt firing and two blowout losses, but the 132-98 score to the Warriors pretty much sums it up. They should still win the East if they can get back on their feet and the Raptors cool down a little, yet to say they look like a team who can challenge either the Warriors or Spurs in the NBA Finals would be unwise to say the least right now.

Next: The NBA's Best Highlights of Week 13

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