Standings watch...2 days left and lots still undecided in the East

by David Dwork on Apr 13, 2010 12:45 AM EDT

In the standings, the Heat's win combined with the Hawks beating Milwaukee put Miami in sole possession of 5th place. The Hawks win also put them 1½ games ahead of Boston, meaning that it is very likely that the Heat will be playing the Celtics in the 1st round. Even if the Heat lose to Jersey on Wednesday night, Milwaukee still has to win in Boston to tie Miami and claim 5th place.

For Boston to get 3rd place, they have to win their final two games (@ CHI, vs. MIL) and Atlanta has to lose their final game (vs. Cleveland). Of course, if both situations happen then Miami still ends up playing Boston. Miami could end up 6th and Boston could come back and finish 3rd. So many things still to be decided in the final two days of the season...

One thing the Heat's win did for them tonight was ensure they wouldn't finish lower then 6th. With one game left, Miami holds a 2-game lead over 7th place Charlotte. The Bobcats are stuck in the 7 seed regardless of what happens between them and the Bucks. Milwaukee has a 1-game lead and holds the tiebreaker over Charlotte, so only the Bucks and Heat can swap positions.

In the battle for 8th place, Chicago controls their own destiny. They currently hold a half game lead over Toronto after the Raptors win tonight in Detroit. The Bulls have two games left, tomorrow vs. Boston and Wednesday at Charlotte. Toronto has just one game left, Wednesday against the Knicks. If they finish tied Toronto holds the tiebreaker, beating the Bulls 2 out of 3 during the regular season.

Why does this matter to us Heat fans? Here is an explanation to the conditional draft pick from the Shawn Marion-Jermaine O'Neal trade courtesy of NBA.com:

The Heat receive a future first-round draft pick, to come sometime between 2010 and 2015. It's lottery-protected, essentially meaning the first time the Raptors make the playoffs after this (2009) season, their first-rounder goes to Miami. If Miami does not get that first-round pick in 2010, it will get an additional second-round pick that year.

That basically means that if Toronto misses the playoffs this year, Miami will get their 2^nd round pick in this summers draft but will still get their first round pick sometime between next season and 2015. Seems to be a win-win situation for Miami.

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I hope the Heat end up facing the Celtics, i think we can beat them in 7 games, the celtics are old and will get tired. and D.wade will be the difference.

by Dolphins21MZ on Apr 13, 2010 2:25 PM EDT reply actions

We can beat either of em

Wade is so clutch as long as we stay close through out the game we have a GOOD chance to win in the end, and i think we got 3 of 4 against atlanta this year too. I can’t wait till playoffs start though, I rarely get to watch a game where i live :(

Resign JT!

by colinmc82 on Apr 13, 2010 2:58 PM EDT up reply actions

I love you guys' optimism

but as I’ve said before, my main concern is our inability to cover Rondo. The mismatch created there screws us because when he gets past our PG and drive, it instantly give them 1 or 2 open open players because of the help defense that would come thanks to our zone. I can’t see them even trying to pay man up against Rondo and the Celts…

Peninsula Is Mightier:Your SB Nation Miami Heat Blog Community

"My parents would always say, `It doesn't matter if it`s a guy picking up the garbage or the President of the United States, treat everybody as you would want to be treated.'"- Dan Marino

by David Dwork on Apr 13, 2010 6:57 PM EDT up reply actions

in mid series we might need to make a dramatic change if he is consistently

burning us. qrich guard the point? rondo is known to struggle against physical defenders.

Im tryin to right my wrongs, but its funny how these same wrongs helped me write this song. - Mr. West

by Davone_Is_BessT on Apr 13, 2010 9:09 PM EDT up reply actions

I didn't realize that about the draft pick situation...like u said, win win :D

Resign JT!

by colinmc82 on Apr 13, 2010 3:01 PM EDT reply actions

eastern conf champs this season

you heard it

SpillWagon reporting in & putting up points.
Swagger; we have it, U don't.
Making the case to "DRAFT LaRON BYRD IN 2011."
THE U: DONATING TO THE NFL SINCE 1926.

by chrislucas on Apr 13, 2010 4:51 PM EDT reply actions

Rondo

I just don’t want to see either of our pg’s covering Rondo. Maybe Wade will take the job? Bease is much more athletic than there front court, but I’m not sure he can handle them defensively. HEAT IN 7

by scott596 on Apr 13, 2010 5:48 PM EDT reply actions

Beasley has come a long way since last season, but he still has problems defending his own position. The biggest guy that I could possibly see on Rodno is Dorell, and that is a big stretch. Wade would do an alright job, but him chasing around Rondo would drain his energy and we definitely need his offense. I’d expect a lot of zone against Boston.

Peninsula Is Mightier:Your SB Nation Miami Heat Blog Community

"My parents would always say, `It doesn't matter if it`s a guy picking up the garbage or the President of the United States, treat everybody as you would want to be treated.'"- Dan Marino

by David Dwork on Apr 13, 2010 7:00 PM EDT up reply actions

Zone could work

It will also help to change it up and throw a lot of different looks at them. A little zone a little man, and a little psuedo-man defense. Boston is a team in-flux right now—whether they realize it or not. Rondo and Pierce should be their focal points. Allen and KG should be third and fourth options and Perkins should play clean up. They got away very easy by signing Rondo to that extension earlier this season—he’s worth much more. The fact that they as a team still THINK it’s the Pierce and KG Show gives me hope that we can take them down if that’s who we end up facing.

The guy who scares the HELL out of me in this matchup is Sheed Wallace. He hasn’t done much this season, but if anything could get him going, it’s playing in the Playoffs.

Playing, coaching, and watching basketball.

by sherman r on Apr 14, 2010 9:43 AM EDT up reply actions

we can always hire someone to take out Rondo's knee with a crowbar.

just sayin’

2009 NY Phin PhansFantasy League Champion
2009 Best Regular Season Record in NYPPL.
2010 The Jim Mandich NewsFlash Award Winner.

by Patssuck456 on Apr 14, 2010 11:16 AM EDT up reply actions

That's sick!

But funny though. LOL!

Playing, coaching, and watching basketball.

by sherman r on Apr 14, 2010 11:33 AM EDT up reply actions

I feel besides Rondo we can handle them

but its still iffy. Getting ATL is very unlikely so we should prepare for the celts. I would love to shut up a washed up KG

by kazam92 on Apr 13, 2010 8:57 PM EDT reply actions

its pretty much official now that we have boston, cause they just lost to the bulls

by Shaffi3 on Apr 13, 2010 11:36 PM EDT reply actions

Haha I don’t know if I’m saying it right
but I feel that whether we face Celtics or Hawks, it doesnt matter.

I’d honestly want them to face Celtics and take every match as a chance to learn and be better. Besides this season is obviously not our championship season.
Next season is then the crucial one.

by Keiya992 on Apr 14, 2010 5:23 AM EDT reply actions