The HEAT's Chances

[Dave Gray]

HEAT Fans,

What do you see happening?  I've been watching a lot of HEAT basketball recently, with the playoff hunt in full swing.  The Bucks loss was a heartbreaking turd and we eeked one against the Celts after a big lead.

So, we're in the 7 seed now with 11 to play, I think.  And there are about 3 other teams right there vying for 7 or 8 seed. 

But we have a tough road coming up -- some good teams.  And Brooklyn has a bunch of games at home, so they could close the gap.

Predictions?  And what seed do you want?  I think the 7 seed to play the Cavs is your best bet.  You're going to lose either way, but seeing us play Lebron would be interesting PLUS you have beaten them a few times and emotions will be high -- you never know.  Plus, if we did beat the Cavs, I'd have to take off work to let my over-masturbated penis heal.

[Brian Fein]

<offtopic>

I think its humorous how, as fans of the same sports towns, Dave and I differ so drastically.  Dave is a huge Heat fan and basically indifferent to baseball and hockey.  I can't get enough Florida Panthers and, while I consider them my favorite basketball team, I am pretty indifferent towards the Heat.

Interest-wise, between Dave and I, we make 1 full sports fan.

</offtopic>

[Fau Teixeira]

i think we'll hold on to the 7th seed .. even tho having whiteside out for 2 weeks will be hard .. i'm really excited to see what this team can do next year with a lineup of dragic, wade, bosh, whiteside and sf (deng?)  .. that's a really decent lineup

[Sunstroke]

I think Miami will sneak into the playoffs, but not sure they can handle any of their potential first round match-ups.

...i'm really excited to see what this team can do next year with a lineup of dragic, wade, bosh, whiteside and sf (deng?)  .. that's a really decent lineup

I agree, to a point, though I think Wade is going to start hitting the downhill stretch of his career pretty darned soon. I'm also not sure what Miami's salary situation is. Will they be able to afford to add a free agent or two? They don't have a 1st round pick in this coming draft either.

[Phishfan]

^^^ While Wade is still a very good player, I'd dare say he has already started the downhill stretch depending on how you define that term. I don't see his body having any uphill to it at this point in his career.

[Sunstroke]

^^^ You are 100% right, though to this point, that downhill has mainly consisted of the need for periodic rest, rather than any depreciating statistical performance. This week is a great example of that. He had to take last night off for the second game of a back-to-back, but the previous 4 games, he averaged 21.8 pts, 4.5 assists, 2.3 rebounds and 1.8 steals, with ratios of .479/.842. When he's out there, he's fine...but his body is just not able to handle the rigors of an 82 game schedule.

[Brian Fein]

According to this, the current standings would lead to a Miami vs Cleveland first round matchup.

http://stats.nba.com/playoffpicture

I can already hear the national media creaming in their pants in anticipation.

[Phishfan]

^^^ I can hear them too. I think PTI mentioned it yesterday on ESPN.