Heat Faced with Losing Number Four Seed

The Miami Heat have dropped two straight games to the Charlotte Bobcats. It was supposed to be a few creampuff games for the Heat as they try to catch up to the Toronto Raptors for the #3 seed.

Now, they are looking to preserve their 2.5 game lead over the Wizards for the Southeastern Division lead while the Raptors have all but wrapped up the #3 seed for the playoffs.

Pat Riley senses his team is overlooking the rest of the season. "They see the standings and they see it's going to take a miracle to move up," Riley said. "Maybe subconsciously they have said, 'We're settling in right here. We're going to have to do it the hard way.' The way we played tonight, there wasn't a sense of urgency."

With Gary Payton out for 2-3 weeks with a torn right calf muscle, Udonis Haslem out with a nagging groin injury, Dwyane Wade just starting to make his return and getting his game legs back, and with Shaq out due to the death of his grandfather what can we realistically expect for the Heat tonight? Oh yeah, and then there is the James Posey DUI situation to consider, too.

At least for the Heat, Washington is without Gilbert Arenas and Caron Butler.

If Miami loses this game, they realistically could risk losing the #4 spot by opening up a chance for Washington to steal the division title back. Thank God the Wiz lost to the Nets last night (96-92) otherwise they would only be 1.5 games back of the Heat.

The Wizards, not including tonight's game against Miami, have 4 games left (@ Atlanta, Chicago, Orlando and @ Indiana) and are facing a bit of an uphill battle, but if they beat the Heat tonight they could catch the Heat who has only 3 games left, not including tonight.

Miami is faced with injuries and availability issues, but Riley has to be clear and play who he has. Payton is gone, Riley HAS to play Chris Quinn and the rookie had a nice night last night, scoring 12 points on 3-6 shooting, 4-6 free throws, 2 rebounds and 3 assists. Jason Williams cannot afford to play 48 minutes, let alone 40 and Dwyane Wade is not totally ready to take over PG duties just yet. Both options had turnover problems last night, posting 4 a piece, and Quinn is a safe alternative if Riley could only get his stubborn head around it.

As for the other injuries, Miami has enough depth to make up for them.

Miami has to win this game tonight if they are going to keep that #4 seed. The third spot is all but out of reach now and if the Heat lose tonight, it may be tempting to tell them to tank the rest of the season to slide down to that #6 spot, in all honesty.