Miami

Still Waiting: A Look at Miami Heat's Possible First Round Playoff Opponents

What to Know

  • Entering Friday’s games, the Heat know they can finish no higher than sixth place in the Eastern Conference.
  • At the moment, would set them up for an opening round showdown with former Miami star LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers.
  • Depending on how the final games play out, Miami could also as the sixth seed play the Philadelphia 76ers or the Indiana Pacers.

With less than one week left in the regular season, the Miami Heat know they are going to be in NBA’s postseason for just the second time in the last four seasons.

Who they will play in the first round still remains to be determined.

Entering Friday’s games, the Heat know they can finish no higher than sixth place in the Eastern Conference – which, at the moment, would set them up for an opening round showdown with former Miami star LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Heat lost two out of three games this season against the Cavs, with each team winning on their home court.

Depending on how the final games play out, Miami could also as the sixth seed play the Philadelphia 76ers or the Indiana Pacers in the first round. The Heat split their four games with the Pacers this season and their four games with the Sixers.

While Miami holds a one game lead over the Washington Wizards and Milwaukee Bucks for the sixth seed, the Heat could drop down to the seventh or eighth spot with a last week slump. If that is the case, Miami would face either the Toronto Raptors or Boston Celtics in the opening round.

Toronto, who currently holds a three game lead over Boston with each team having four games left to play, has split the two games played with Miami this season as both teams will meet April 11th in the AmericanAirlines Arena for the regular season finale. The Heat have taken two of three games this season against the Celtics, breaking an eight game losing streak.

Tickets for the first round of the playoffs go on sale Friday at 10 a.m. For more information on how to purchase them, click on this link

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