Heat's test against the Raptors puts playoff implications on the line

It seems like playoff implications have been on the line for the Miami Heat since the NBA All-Star break, but that's because they really have. Miami has played such an up-and-down game of basketball since then that they're only in this position today of their own doing.

A look at Miami's last 10 games shows a team not worthy of the playoffs: they are 3-7, and by the way things are going, the 10th play-in seed could be the best the Heat get before the end of the season. 

That said, the Heat still have time to maneuver into better play-in positioning with the few games remaining in the regular season, giving themselves a better chance if they make the playoffs. Miami can start that maneuvering Tuesday night against the Toronto Raptors, a team the Heat have not yet beaten this year. 

Heat vs. Raptors preview

The Heat have just four games remaining in their season, with two of them against the Raptors in back-to-back meetings this week. In their two previous matchups this season, the Heat fell in both games, first on December 15th, 106-96, and then on December 23rd, 112-91. Both losses came during a 1-8 stretch for the Heat.

The Raptors enter Tuesday's game with the sixth seed in the East, while the Heat are in the 10th, but surprisingly, only two wins separate each team in both the wins and losses columns. Given that, there is a mathematical chance the Heat can move up into a playoff spot before it's all said and done. 

That said, that would take all of the Raptors (43-35), Philadelphia 76ers (43-36), Orlando Magic (43-36), and Charlotte Hornets (43-36) to virtually drop all of their remaining games, and that doesn't seem realistic. It is more likely the Heat will move up in the play-in seeding given these teams' similar records, which is good news for the Heat. 

Heat fans can expect the main crew in the lineup against the Raptors as both Tyler Herro (right foot soreness) and Norman Powell (reconditioning) are listed as probable. The only player listed as out is Nikola Jovic (left ankle sprain).

Playoff implications are on the line against the Raptors, despite the tiebreaker already having been settled between the two teams. That said, starting with a win on Tuesday and another possible second win against Toronto later in the week, it would position the Heat very strongly in multiple team tiebreakers involving the Raptors, 76ers, and Hornets. 

The Heat finished the season with winning records against Philadelphia and Charlotte, something they won't accomplish against the Raptors. Still, a win on Tuesday can help them in other ways, and despite being the underdogs, this is a game the Heat can win. After all, going into the play-in tournament, any form of momentum can be to their advantage; grabbing a few more wins will do that.