Hot Points: Miami's Statistical Advantage

January 6, 2011

Chris Bosh drains a three-pointer with 0.6 left to tie the game.

• The NBA season is still young but the Miami Heat are burning up the stat charts already, leading the league in points per game (ppg), point differential, and field goal percentage thus far. 

• LeBron James is currently the NBA's top scorer with 29.9 PPG and is shooting a stellar 59% from the field. His high percentage is due in part to his improved post game and reduction of three point shots (he's only attempted two shots from behind the arc this season). 

• Chris Bosh is averaging over 20 PPG with almost nine rebounds and one block a night. These numbers can be attributed to Miami increasing the touches Bosh receives in the post, which has allowed the big man to become more comfortable and aggressive. 

• Despite Dwyane Wade's recent foot injury, he's been able to contribute with over 18 points, 6 assists and 3 rebounds per game. Not to mention, Wade is ranked 7th in league in blocks with 12 so far, that's better than any other guard in the NBA. And his game will only get better once he heals up. 

• Mario Chalmers is off to the best start in his career and has provided the Heat with great perimeter defense (two steals per game) and perimeter shooting (50% three-point percentage). Chalmers' 29-point performance versus the Atlanta Hawks marked a season-high for him in scoring. 

• Miami is also receiving considerable support off the bench with Udonis Haslem posting 10 rebounds a nights, Norris Cole scoring 11 PPG, and James Jones shooting 50% from three-point land.

• While numbers can be skewed to paint various pictures, these are stats that are difficult to dismiss. As the cliche goes, these numbers don't lie.