words // Brandon Richard

Reports of the Miami Heat’s demise were greatly exaggerated. After starting off the month with a five-game losing streak, the Heat were able to get rolling again in last week’s games. The Heat went 2-1 on the week (the loss being the last of their losing streak), including a big statement win over the defending champion Los Angeles Lakers. What makes the Heat unique is that you never know who’s going to be the guy that carries most of the load. Last week, it was Dwyane Wade, who averaged 28.7 points, 6.3 assists and 5.3 rebounds per game to help Miami turn their season around and grab Eastbay’s NBA Player of the Week nod.

While he was certainly a big contributor in Los Angeles, he was absolutely brilliant when the Heat hosted the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday. Surely pleasing his fantasy basketball owners, Wade scored 28 points on 9-of-15 shooting, while adding nine assists, five rebounds, three steals and five blocks in a 118-85 Heat win. Wade missed the game that Miami dropped to Memphis earlier in the season. You get the feeling the Grizzlies were left wishing he didn’t play in the second one, either.

With Miami’s latest win streak, do you think they have a realistic shot at an NBA Championship?

Dwyane Wade drives in the Air Jordan 2011.