Sports editor Kendall Peterson.New photo w/hoodie.Kendall’s Fastball

The 2012-13 NBA season hasn’t let me down. Every game that I have watched has been worth my time. There is great competition in the league, especially in the Western Conference with teams like the Los Angeles Lakers, the Clippers or the San Antonio Spurs. But one specific team that has attracted my attention isn’t even in the West—it’s clear across the country. The Miami Heat and their amazing run toward history is what has been so fun to watch.

I have been keeping a close eye on them and want to state that what the Heat have done and currently are doing on their 18-game winning streak is proof that they are the team that will win the 2013 NBA Championship.

Although some critics like to point out that the Heat’s streak isn’t the longest in the NBA, they are certainly getting close to it. They passed this season’s longest streak held by the Clippers when they had a 17-game winning streak from Nov. 28, 2012 to  Jan. 1, 2013.

The Heat’s streak has been impressive and amusing at the same time. They almost gave a game away to the Orlando Magic on March 6, but LeBron James showed his MVP self and made the game-winning layup.

When the Heat defeated the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday, March 8, they tied the 1959-60 Celtics for the third-longest winning streak by a defending NBA champion. One other interesting fact is they have the fifth-longest NBA streak ever. That came after they defeated the Indiana Pacers Sunday, March 10.

The funny thing is that it was the Pacers who last defeated the Heat on Feb. 1, the same team they beat on Sunday, March 10 to extend their winning streak to 18 games. If Miami is able to win one more, they will tie the 1999-00 Los Angeles Lakers and the 2008-09 Boston Celtics for 19 consecutive games won.

During the Heat’s Sunday match up against the Pacers, Miami had three players in 20-plus points and LeBron wasn’t one of them. Mario Chalmers, who is not known for his scoring, dropped 26 points, Chris Bosh tallied 24 and Dwyane Wade had 23. James only scored 13, which shows that the Heat are capable to win even when James doesn’t score at a high level.

During the Heat’s streak LeBron James has been averaging 28 points, seven rebounds and seven assists. Once their streak ends, their hard work will transfer into the playoffs and they will dominate the weaker Eastern Conference teams on their path toward another championship.