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The Miami Heat Tip Off, Week Eight: Now or Never

By Ivan Mora

SACRAMENTO, CA - MARCH 14: The Miami Heat bench reacts during the game against the Sacramento Kings on March 14, 2018 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CA - MARCH 14: The Miami Heat bench reacts during the game against the Sacramento Kings on March 14, 2018 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The eighth edition of the Miami Heat Tip-Off, a weekly AllUCanHeat column, is here.

It’s crunch time and the Miami Heat are aware of the circumstances.

The NBA season is finally coming to an end. After a semi-productive week (we knew it wasn’t going to be 3-0 blowout), the Heat are now facing their final week of the season, with much left in the air before an official matchup is set.  

They finished this past week 2-1, with back-to-back victories over the Atlanta Hawks, but couldn’t finish off the perfect week, taking a Saturday night blowout loss to the New York Knicks. However, they still managed to maintain the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference, an advantage over the seventh and eighth seeds held by the Washington Wizards and the Milwaukee Bucks (Miami owns the tiebreaker over both teams).

The win over the Knicks would’ve given Miami a well-deserved and needed cushion this week; but for some odd reason, everyone pretty much knew the Heat wouldn’t be able to close out the season on a five or six game winning streak. It’s just that unfortunate Miami luck.  

The great news is that for the first time in honestly months, this Heat team is healthy. They need this in order to start the playoffs with a bang. The scenarios are building up and how it’s looking right now, Miami will have a first-round matchup with either the Philadelphia 76ers (who are on a 14-game win streak) or the Cleveland Cavaliers, who have LeBron James.  

Which outcome would be more beneficial to their momentum is yet to be determined, but let’s get through this week first, before starting to count chickens before they’ve hatched.  

More from All U Can Heat

Upcoming Games

Monday, April 9 versus the Oklahoma City Thunder (Home)

Wednesday, April 11 versus the Toronto Raptors (Home)

On the bright side, these last two games are in Miami. And the last one is against the number one seed, Toronto Raptors, who will probably rest their players for the final game. Bad news? The Oklahoma City Thunder are in a similar situation as Miami, and are facing a can’t-lose week. That’s trouble. 

This Week’s Preview

Only two matchups between these two clubs this year, with the first one a close loss after a 29-point, 13-rebound game from the former MVP, Russell Westbrook. They finished that game 105-99.

Tonight is the final matchup. The fifth, sixth and seventh seed (Thunder) in the West are all tied with a 46-34 record. Minnesota and Denver are right behind with a 45-35 record. Every team in the West right now has their eyes locked in on these matchups. Playoff implications are on the line and depend on the turnout of every game. Expect Oklahoma to come out guns ablazin. That’s scary for Miami, but then again the Heat are in a similar situation. This one will come down to the wire.

I’m feeling surprisingly optimistic about this one though, and predict a win. Afterall, Miami wants revenge for that loss and this time they’re back home.  

The Toronto Raptors are another story.

They tied the first two games 1-1 with both games coming down to the last second, with their win by one point and their loss by 3 points. Miami always miraculously give their hearts out against top contenders. They can do it again this Wednesday.  

They might even get extremely lucky if the Raptors rest their players for the playoffs. All signs point to that happening, especially with the postseason starting Saturday. Let’s hope that does happen so Miami can clinch that sixth seed and finish the week and season on a strong note.  

This Week’s Challenges

Will Miami rest any of its players?

Who matches up better with Miami? Philadelphia or Cleveland?

Can Dwyane Wade bring Flash for the playoffs?

Next: The Miami Heat need continuity over rest, going into the playoffs

Here’s to that strong finish and even better start to the NBA Playoffs. 

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