Miami Heat preview: They kept core, looking to compete this season USA TODAY projection: 44-38

Michael J McLaughlin | USA TODAY

Show Caption Hide Caption NBA Eastern Conference preview: If healthy, Cavs favored USA TODAY Sports' Jeff Zillgitt breaks down the East.

Missing the playoffs was a disappointment and a surprise for the Heat last season. This season the team could have the talent to be a contender in the Eastern Conference.

What’s different this season? Miami was able to re-sign Dwyane Wade and Goran Dragic, Luol Deng exercised his player option and the team added Gerald Green and Amar’e Stoudemire in free agency, plus Justise Winslow through the draft.

How good can they be? If Wade and Chris Bosh can stay healthy, the team has the talent to contend for the Eastern title. Miami struggled to score last season, averaging 94.7 points per game (27th in the league). A big reason for that, however, was Bosh was limited to 44 games because of blood clots on his lung that forced him to miss the second half of the season. Hassan Whiteside, who averaged 2.6 blocked shots and 10 rebounds per game, is a legitimate rim protector. And with Winslow and Mario Chalmers on the bench, the Heat should have depth in their backcourt.

How far do they have to go? The Heat shot 33.5% on three-pointers, which ranked 24th in the league. Green, however, is a career 36.8% shooter from behind the arc and made more than 37% of his catch-and-shoot three-pointers last season. Miami also had the fewest assists in the NBA with 19.8 per game. And it still does not have a player on its roster who has averaged more than six assists per game for his career.

James vs. the Heat? A playoff matchup between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Heat appears possible, particularly after Miami’s moves this offseason. Because of injuries, the Heat finished 37-45 in their first season after LeBron James left. A 2016 playoff matchup would be an opportunity for Miami to demonstrate to James how good a team Heat President Pat Riley can form without him.

Winslow’s impact: At No. 10 overall, Winslow could be one of the steals of the draft. He shot better than 41% on his three-pointers at Duke, was key to the Blue Devils’ national championship run and can finish at the rim.

Thursday: Southeast Division. Friday: Northwest Division.