The seventh edition of the Miami Heat Tip-Off, a weekly AllUCanHeat column, is here.
For some weird and unexplainable reason, the Brooklyn Nets have the Miami Heat‘s number. They dominated them all season long and finished with a 3-1 record. It’s like they are the Heat’s kryptonite and that is something fans will just have to adjust to. On the bright side, the Heat did dominate the Cleveland Cavaliers. That was fun.
After a deteriorating end to an otherwise successful week, the Heat are basically where they stood exactly a week ago. In the seventh rank with the opportunity to rise once again. You would think the matches would be set and ready to go, but nope; we still have five more games to go.
The fifth seed is out of reach but the sixth is still very much in play. So the best case scenario is getting the sixth seed with the possibility to encounter a much anticipated Cavaliers/Heat first round matchup. Or, judging by the Philadelphia 76ers recent win streak, the Heat could face the 76ers in the first round. Both with very slim outcomes though.
At this point, due to Kyrie Irving’s injury debacle, a first-round Heat/Boston Celtics matchup would be a match made in heaven. Regardless of Irving’s availability, Miami has fared extremely well against the second seed. They finished 2-1 in the season and countered their small ball fast pace transition well. They aren’t afraid of them and can even upset them in the first round.
2-1 against the Celtics, 1-2 against the Cavaliers, 2-2 against the 76ers, and 1-1 with one game left against the Toronto Raptors, and you can see why Boston would be the most intriguing matchup. However, fighting for the best rank is, and always will be, the Heat’s priority. So let’s anticipate a favorable conclusion to this swivet of a season.
Upcoming Games
Tuesday, April 3 versus the Atlanta Hawks (Home)
Wednesday, April 4 versus the Atlanta Hawks (Away)
Friday, April 6 versus the New York Knicks (Away)
We are 3-2 combined with these two teams. Not surprising. The back-to-back will be heavy, but with the possibility to clinch tonight, expect a fast-paced break right from the start. They need to secure a spot.
This Week’s Preview
Miami is 2-1 against the Knicks and 1-1 against the Hawks, when in reality combined they should be 5-0 for the season. Like I had mentioned in last week’s column, Miami is a way better team than these two lottery clubs. The Hawks have the third worst record in the league and the Knicks haven’t reached the NBA playoffs in over five years.
Miami, as previously mentioned, has way more at stake here. They need to fight for that attainable sixth seed for a possible matchup against the 76ers (hopefully), or Cleveland. Even if those aren’t their destined matchups, it’s what Miami should shoot for.
The only concern is the back-to-back regarding fatigue and health; but besides that, expect a 3-0 sweep. Miami won’t make the same mistake it did with the Nets. With their last two games of the season against playoff contenders in the Oklahoma City Thunder and Raptors, they need to really take advantage of this smooth week.
This Week’s Challenges
Will Hassan Whiteside get more minutes after his call out?
Will head coach Erik Spoelstra rest Dwyane Wade in these last games?
Can the Heat really finish 5-0 to secure the sixth seed?
Next: How Hassan Whiteside's comments were a Miami Heat wake-up call
Here’s to crunch time and a fighting chance.