The crazy numbers of the Miami Heat’s growth in the Playoffs.

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I Miami Heat Are literally another team compared to the regular season.

By beating the Boston Celtics 103-84 at the Garden, the Heat became the second team in history to reach the Finals starting from eighth place. The New York Knicks did it in 1999, eventually bowing to the San Antonio Spurs in the last act. Miami’s feat, however, is even more incredible considering that it had lost the first play-in game and was down with 3 minutes left in the second game to the Chicago Bulls.

Everything changed from there on. Knocked off the Milwaukee Bucks, #1 seed, despite Tyler Herro’s injury, then eliminated the New York Knicks and finally a win over the Celtics, who arrived at the post-season with the #2 seed. Miami ended the regular season with a negative point differential, from 30th in points scored, 27th in rebounds, 25th in assists and offensive rating, 21st in scoring. In short, statistics that never would have hinted at winning the Eastern Conference.

The most obvious symbol of the transformation is Jimmy Butler, awarded MVP of the conference finals. In the post season he is scoring an average of more than 5 points per game and has grown in all statistical items.

Other case is. Caleb Martin, from a player on the fringes of the league to a decisive element in a matter of months. He touched 20 points in only four regular season games but in as many playoff games, had never reached 25 and succeeded twice in the series with Boston, including the decisive Game 7.

Finally, a curious fact, in addition to that concerning Kevin Love. Out of eight players employed by coach Spoelstra in Game 7, as many as five were undrafted, demonstrating the Heat’s ability to unearth talent even in unsuspected players.

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