The Miami Heat are unlikely to emerge as a real contender in the Eastern Conference this season, but that doesn't mean they can't be a team no one will want to face in the NBA Playoffs. Especially if you buy into their top 10 net rating (and top 5 defensive rating).
After all, it is somewhat odd that a team with the 16th-best record in the NBA has a top-10 net rating. That does seem to suggest that they may be better than their record may indicate.
How much better remains to be seen, but, at full strength, there's reason to believe that the Heat could round into a dangerous playoff team over the final stretch of the season.