The Miami Heat's path through the NBA Play-In Tournament is officially set. They will face off against the Charlotte Hornets on the road in the 9-10 matchup, which will take place on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.
The winner of that matchup between the Heat and Hornets will then take on the winner of the 7-8 matchup with the No. 8 seed on the line. The loser between the Heat and Hornets will go home, and their season will effectively be over.
NBA Play-In Tournament full schedule
Here is the official schedule for the NBA Play-In Tournament:
Tuesday, April 14
(10) Miami Heat @ Charlotte Hornets (9) - 7:30 p.m.
(8) Portland Trail Blazers/LA Clippers @ Phoenix Suns (7) - 10:00 p.m.
(winners advance to Playoffs as No. 7 seeds)
Wednesday, April 15
(8) Orlando Magic @ Philadelphia 76ers (7) - 7:30 p.m.
(10) Golden State Warriors @ LA Clippers/Portland Trail Blazers (9) - 10:00 p.m.
(losers are eliminated from postseason)
(winners advance to final Play-In Tournament game)
Friday, April 17
East bracket: 9/10 winner @ 7/8 loser - 7:30 p.m.
West bracket: 9/10 winner @ 7/8loser - 10:00 p.m.
(winners advance to Playoffs as No. 8 seeds)
If the Heat were to win two road games, which will be a battle in its own, they'll advance as the 8th seed in the Eastern Conference to take on the top-seeded Detroit Pistons. That series would begin Sunday afternoon.
The Heat's longshot at making the NBA Playoffs
Even though the Heat have had success this season against the Hornets, beating them three out of four times this season, winning two games on the road could prove to be highly improbable for a team that has notoriously struggled away from home.
Miami finished the year 17-24 on the road, and hasn't won back-to-back road games since mid-February.
The Heat have struggled mightily with consistency this season, and, in fact, the only constant for the team this season was their struggles away from Kaseya Center.
If there's any hope for Heat fans, it's the fact that they've gone a combined 5-2 against the Hornets and Philadelphia 76ers this season. Assuming the Magic will beat the 76ers in the first Play-In Tournament matchup, the Heat may like their chances at advancing as the 8th seed if they can get by the Hornets.
Add in that the 76ers will be without Joel Embiid, and there's a chance Miami could, once again, sneak its way into the playoffs. But, make no mistake, the Heat will certainly have their hands full in the Play-In Tournament.