Loss to Raptors Tough to Take

It isn't the end of the season by any stretch, but losing to the Raptors tonight was not an easy pill to swallow for the Heat.

The Heat were alone in first place over the Wizards, and then tied with the same record going into tonight's game with the Raptors. A win, and the Heat would kill two birds with one huge basketball - they would reassert their #1 spot in the SE division while also creating some more seperation from the Raptors in the standings. Which means homecourt advantage against either of those teams once the playoffs start.

All the Heat needs to focus on now, other than just getting Wade back, is getting the #1 spot in the SE division over the Wizards and getting a better record than the Raptors.

On the positive side, the Heat will have another meeting against the Raptors on April 3rd, this coming Tuesday. If the Heat can cobble a few wins together during that time, they will effectively reduplicate the opportunity they had tonight. Yet that feat won't be easy to do since they are playing the Timberwolves in Minny (30th) and at Detroit (April 1st). 1-1 is most likely, but stealing a win in both buildings would be a great feat considering the Heat have had a few more let downs of late than perhaps they deserve.

That is the real reason why tonight was a wasted opportunity - the Heat got blasted in the first quarter scoring only 15 points while watching the Raptors explode for over 30 points to start the game. The Heat could never catch up.

This team doesn't seem to like it any other way than the hard way. We'll just have to see what happens next, eh?