2 key reasons the Miami Heat must fight for the second seed in the East

2 of 3

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – OCTOBER 26: Eric Bledsoe #6 of the Milwaukee Bucks dribbles the ball while being guarded by Kendrick Nunn #25 of the Miami Heat in the first quarter at the Fiserv Forum on October 26, 2019 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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 License Agreement. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

Avoid the Bucks at all costs

The Milwaukee Bucks are the best team in the NBA. Their best player, Giannis Antetokounmpo, may be the best player in the NBA. Playing a fresh and healthy Bucks squad any sooner than necessary is a path to certain doom in the playoffs.

If the Miami Heat finish in the second seed, they won’t have to face the Bucks until the Eastern Conference Finals, assuming both teams get there. The longer they can put off such a meeting, the better chance for somebody else to either knock them out or put them through a grind of a seven-game series.

You never know, that could soften them up for a Miami Heat knockout punch in the Conference Finals. It’s certainly better than the alternative, where if they finished anywhere from the third seed to the sixth seed they could meet the Bucks in the second round, rather than delaying it until the third.

You can only put off the inevitable for so long, and it’s highly probably that the Bucks will be waiting for the Heat (or whoever gets to the conference finals) in the end. It’s all but inevitable, but the Miami Heat would give themselves their best chance by getting into the second seed bracket and putting it off as long as they can.

Home/Heat News