Though the Miami Heat weren’t that involved, virtually standing pat as the day came and went, the NBA saw significant swings at their trade deadline. That goes specifically for many of the Eastern Conference playoff teams.
As the All-Star break gets behind us though, squads around the league are prepping for the final sprint to the season’s close. At the time of this article, 4.5 games separate the first and second seeds from the sixth seed.
Five games are the difference between home-court and the play-in tournament. With just over 20 games remaining, 23 for your Miami Heat, each victory could prove crucial as the playoff picture falls into place.
Unfortunately for the Heat, trying to stay on top of the Eastern Conference will be nothing short of a challenge. Not only is the conference chocked full of talent-laden rosters but a few teams could be getting healthy at the right time.
Here are a few reasons why the East will be challenging to clinch for the boys along South Beach.