Heat Playoff Picture Becoming Clearer

Tonight's game against the Cavaliers is a huge one. Not for the reason you may think - the Heat do need to win this game, but it is also a big test for Miami as they go to Cleveland to take on the Cavs on TNT. This is a potential playoff matchup, as the Heat are pushing for that #2 spot and the Cavs and Bulls are tangled over the #2 spot.

For example, if the Heat fell to #4 and the Cavs fell to #6, then that would be the first round matchup for both teams. The Heat would be faced with playing a tough Cavaliers team while also trying to figure out how effective Dwyane Wade is going to be returning from his shoulder injury.

Yet, things seem to be turning for the better for Miami. The Heat's #1 goal is to grab the third spot in the Eastern conference, so they can avoid a playing the Pistons until the finals - if either team makes it that far. To do that, they will have to win the Southeastern division, which means beating the Wizards.

That scenario seems assured now, with Caron Butler and Gilbert Arenas being injured. Arenas went down with a knee injury last night against the Bobcats; it was revealed in an MRI today that it is a torn miniscus. Arenas will be out 2-3 months.

Unfortunate for the Wizards, but it does make things easier for Miami.

Yet, there is one remaining obstacle left for the final 8 games for the Heat - the Toronto Raptors.

With the important victory on Tuesday night, the Heat sealed the season series (say that three times fast) against the only team left in Canada which means the Heat will get home court advantage should the two teams meet in the playoffs. That is, if both teams have the same record; so the Heat still have to finish better than the Raptors in order to secure the #3 spot and get home court advantage assured.

That scenario breaks down as follows, thanks to our own Mars who has done the work for us:

Heat 8-0, Raptors 6-1

Heat 7-1, Raptors 5-2

Heat 6-2, Raptors 4-3

Heat 5-3, Raptors 3-4

Heat 4-4, Raptors 2-5

Heat 3-5, Raptors 1-6

Heat 2-6, Raptors 0-7

So, there you have it. The scenario is laid out, they have to retake the SE division for good, and beat the Raptors for that #3 spot.

Oh, and a win tonight against Cleveland and Miami captures a playoff berth.