3 biggest positives, negatives for Heat through 30 games?

"While Kel'el Ware has been the Heat's biggest - figuratively, and literally - rising star, they've seen tangible progress in the development of Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Pelle Larsson. His decision-making hasn't been consistently good lately, but Jaquez has been one of the Heat's best play finishers. Larsson continues to grow as one of the Heat's top point-of-attack defenders. Larsson's shooting has regressed since the start of the season, but he's still shooting 37.3 percent on spot-up 3-pointers (2.5 3PA)."

"Technically, yes, the Heat are playing much faster. They still lead the NBA in pace, a thought that was inconceivable over the last several years. However, since the start of December, Miami's pace has crashed back down to Earth, negatively affecting its offensively output. At some point or another, we'll get a better evaluation on whether the first 20 or so games was an aberration, or this most recent stretch."

"At the very least, it's been a good season for first-year Heat guard Norman Powell. He's done a lot to carry this offense, even though he's also in a little bit of a skid. He's shooting just 40.2 percent from the floor and 29.6 percent from beyond the arc over his last seven games. In his first 18? 50.9 percent from the floor and 45.5 percent from deep. Those numbers better align with his track record, even though he was due for some regression."

Miami sits at 15-15 through 30 games and occupies the No. 8 seed in the Eastern Conference. Young players have shown measurable development: Kel'el Ware has emerged as a rising interior force, Jaime Jaquez Jr. has become one of the team's best play finishers, and Pelle Larsson has grown into a strong point-of-attack defender. Larsson's overall shooting has regressed since the season began, though his spot-up 3-point shooting remains solid. The team leads the NBA in pace overall, but pace and offensive output have declined since early December. Norman Powell has helped carry the offense, though his recent shooting has regressed after an excellent first 18 games.

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