Predicting the 5 best defensive teams heading into the 2021-22 NBA season

#3 Utah Jazz

Utah Jazz in action during an NBA game.

The Utah Jazz improved a lot as an all-around team during the 2020-21 NBA campaign. That helped them finish with the best record in the league. The Jazz have most of their core players on their roster for next season, which makes them a strong favorite to finish in the top four in the Western Conference.

Their defense will be led by reigning Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert. The likes of Royce O'Neale and Bojan Bogdanovic will support him on the perimeter.

“[Gobert] is the most critical part of this Utah Jazz team.” @channingfrye discusses the impact of Gobert’s defense on the @servicenow Workflow of the Game #LetsWorkflowIt pic.twitter.com/pAbLpGxM6Q

— NBA TV (@NBATV) May 6, 2021

The Jazz finished last season as the third-best defensive team in the league. It wasn't easy for most teams to score against the Jazz from any spot. With most of their squad back, they have a great chance of ending the 2021-22 campaign as one of the five best defensive teams.

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#2 Milwaukee Bucks

Milwaukee Bucks in action during an NBA game.

The defending NBA champions, Milwaukee Bucks, are also among the teams expected to dominate at the defensive end next season. They did lose a solid defensive player - PJ Tucker - in free agency. But they still have the likes of Jrue Holiday, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Brook Lopez and Bobby Portis in their ranks.

The Bucks underperformed defensively last campaign, especially during the regular season. They finished the campaign as the ninth-best defensive team in the league. However, they improved significantly during playoffs, which helped them win the title.

The @Bucks defense is SWARMING early in Game 5!They've allowed 6 points in 7 minutes on TNT pic.twitter.com/qHaFH8XOYs

— NBA (@NBA) June 16, 2021

The Milwaukee Bucks have tremendous size in their ranks, which gives them a distinct advantage. So it will be surprising to see them not finish next season as a top-five defensive team.

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#1 Miami Heat

Miami Heat huddles up during an NBA playoff game.

The Miami Heat had one of the best offseasons this summer. They added players like Kyle Lowry, PJ Tucker and Markieff Morris, which instantly boosts their defense for next season. They already have two all-defensive players in their ranks in Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo.

defense ➡️ offense pic.twitter.com/2DnmLwZSIu

— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) May 29, 2021

Opposing teams could find it difficult to break through the Heat's defense this season, with Lowry and Tucker expected to start alongside Butler and Adebayo.

The Heat finished last season as the tenth best defensive team. They could fare even better this campaign if most of their players remain healthy for large swathes.