The Heat, who were 11-30 in early January, are one win away from making the NBA Playoffs. Unfortunately, Miami also needs Indiana or Chicago to lose on Wednesday in order to make it.
The Heat need some help
Good morning. We have that and more in Tuesday’s NBA newsletter.
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The Heat are in this position after an overtime win at home against the defending champs on Monday. Cleveland didn’t play Kyrie Irving or LeBron James — the latter will reportedly rest on Wednesday, too, as the Cavaliers focus on preparing for the first round while the No. 1 seed is still in play. A lack of LeBron helped the Heat on Monday.
Miami’s last game on Wednesday is against the Wizards, who have nothing to play for as they are locked into the No. 4 seed. Still, Washington had nothing to play for on Monday yet still beat the Pistons with John Wall resting. The Bulls, who beat the Magic by 47 on Monday, have a revenge match against the Nets on Wednesday. The Pacers beat the Sixers on Monday and face the Hawks on Wednesday.
This is where it gets weird: if the Hawks beat the Hornets on Tuesday, Atlanta clinches the No. 5 seed and has no reason to play hard against Indiana on Wednesday. Miami needs Charlotte to beat Atlanta Tuesday to ensure the Hawks are still fighting for a favorable seed on Wednesday. (Of course, I’m not sure a No. 5 seed is preferable to No. 6 — it sort of depends on whether Cleveland wins No. 1. A Boston win against the Bucks on Wednesday or a Cleveland loss to Toronto gives it to the Celtics.)
It’s all very complicated! Needless to say, most of the known world is rooting for the cardiac Heat. What a magical journey they’ve been on! Let’s hope it lasts beyond Wednesday.
Scores Galore ...
IND 120, PHI 111
BKN 105, BOS 114
CLE 121, MIA 124 (OT)
ORL 75, CHI 122
CHA 79, MIL 89
WAS 105, DET 101
SAS 98, POR 99
HOU 96, LAC 125
UTA 105, GSW 99
... And Plenty More
The Blazers beat the Spurs on an extremely busted play. All Gregg Popovich could do was laugh.
Giannis Antetokounmpo became the first player in recorded history to finish top 20 in points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks. He celebrated by running 70 feet to block a Hornets shot.
Detroit shut down the Palace at Auburn Hills on Monday night. Chauncey Billups and Isiah Thomas remember the good times.
We are just two days away from making history. Unless something goofy happens by the end of Wednesday, this will be the first year in the last 46 without an in-season coach firing.
Chris Herring on the MVP case for James Harden.
Nate Silver on whether the Cavaliers should be favored to escape the East.
James Dator studies the crowd in Denver after Russell Westbrook eliminated the Nuggets from postseason consideration.
New NBA mock draft from Ricky O’Donnell, this time relying on ESPN’s Lottery Simulator.
Brian Windhorst and Dave McMenamin have a book on the last couple years of the Cavaliers out on Tuesday. This excerpt at ESPN.com deals with LeBron’s return to Cleveland. Wild, wild stuff.
Speaking of books, the great Marcus Thompson’s book on Steph Curry’s rise is out on Tuesday, too.
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