Staff Writer Ira Winderman looks at what has gone right, what has gone wrong and what still needs to happen for the Heat as it reaches the midpoint of its season tonight in Orlando.
5 THINGS THAT WENT RIGHT
1. Zo stayed healthy.
This was a shaky proposition at the start of the season, when early-game fatigue became apparent and when a virus sapped virtually all the strength from the veteran center. But through it all, Alonzo Mourning persevered in his battle with kidney illness, to the point where All-Star consideration is merited.
2. Eddie Jones stepped forward.
There certainly were questions early in the season, when the veteran shooting guard faded in and out of games. But when the Heat has won, or at least been in position to win, Jones has stepped forward with his share of big baskets.
3. Rod Strickland got past his injuries.
At the start of the season it was practically pitiful -- Strickland, limited by a sore groin, unable to get into the lane against even the slowest defenders. But as he has worked through his ailments, the veteran point guard has emerged as a confident force. His playmaking in recent games has been competent, confident and creative.
4. Riley adjusted the offense.
The NBA-record run of 35 consecutive games with fewer than 100 points was not by accident. Too often, coach Pat Riley refused to admit he did not have the shooters he had last season. Too often, he kept tight reins on the approach as he integrated so many newcomers. Finally, in recent games, Riley has played to his players' strengths, and the Heat has played consistently closer to the century mark.
5. Jim Jackson was added.
Having acquired so many players in the offseason, Riley was reluctant for weeks to make an in-season move. But as the playoff race continued to slip away, Riley relented. The addition of the veteran swingman has given Riley flexibility and a reliable sixth man.
5 THINGS THAT WENT WRONG
1. Brian Grant remained in a funk.
Among the reasons P.J. Brown was dispatched to Charlotte was a lack of mental toughness, an undeniable truth based on his playoff failures. Yet Grant has spent most of the early stages of the season as mental mush, unable to get out of his own way at times. He recently has played better, but questions remain as to whether he can be efficient when used in the same lineups as Mourning.
2. The home-court edge was forfeited.
The Heat won two of its first three at home -- then lost 12 of its next 14 at AmericanAirlines Arena. Considering the early home bias to the schedule, recovery may be impossible. Even the worst of playoff teams have to play above .500 at home.
3. Too great a faith was placed in Anthony Carter.
The third-year point guard went from overhyped starter to insignificant reserve in little more than a month. Now the question is how the Heat handles his eventual return from hernia surgery. Based on the play of Eddie House in an instant-offense role and the confidence of rookie Mike James, one has to wonder whether there will be much of a welcome wagon upon Carter's return.
4. The rules changes were overlooked.
Shame on Riley and his staff for denigrating the rules changes to the point of having a team seemingly ill-equipped to contest a zone and seemingly too above it all to consider implementing one. Contrary to Riley's opinion, the zone is here to stay. The Heat finally solved the riddle in Saturday's victory over Indiana, but it took two months to seem to develop a clue.
5. Third time was the harm.
As an offensive-oriented forward, Chris Gatling can have his moments. As a defensive-oriented reserve center, he has no chance. Riley brought Gatling back for a third time with the best of intentions, but the marriage has been rocky for two months now, and it might be time to see if the trade market will yield anything in return.
5 THINGS THAT NEED TO HAPPEN
1. Zo's minutes have to remain measured.
By now it has become apparent that the Heat cannot get enough of Mourning. But this remains a player who gets winded after two or three possessions. Mourning made it through the first half of the season, but if Riley pushes too hard, there might not be anything left in the tank for a final playoff push.
2. A true backup center needs to be found.
Vladimir Stepania has had his moments on offense but remains a huge liability on defense. What the Heat needs is a reserve center who can spell Mourning while not spelling doom for the Heat against an offensive-minded big man. Excellence is not needed here, just someone who is tall and can keep the game competitive while Mourning is on the bench.
3. The rotation must be resolved.
Questions remain at point guard and in the power rotation. Is Gatling the right fit? Is there a single player who will be designated as Strickland's primary backup? Is there any shooting available in reserve? The helter-skelter charge back up the standings needs to be stabilized to further inspire confidence.
4. A fresh look should be taken at zones.
It is not too late. Not only does the Heat need to execute better against the alignments, but thought has to be given to the approach as a means of reducing the wear and tear on Mourning.
5. Teams at the top must falter.
The perspective from here is that New Jersey, Boston and Philadelphia (which simply is too good to keep losing) are playoff locks in the Atlantic, with Milwaukee and Toronto too talented to miss the postseason in the Central. Discounting Chicago, Cleveland and Atlanta, it means that of Orlando, Charlotte, Washington, New York, Detroit and Indiana, four must falter for the Heat to sneak into the postseason.