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Heat close to eighth seed

Originally posted on thePeachBasket | By Eric Labrador | Last updated Apr 1, 2025 6:26 PM ET

The Heat are close to the eighth seed in the NBA play-in tournament. As of yesterday, they will host the Bulls in the first round of the play-in tournament. They are 1.5 games away from the seventh-seeded Magic. The season series between the two is tied. The Magic only have two games remaining against teams with above .500 records. Barring a collapse, the Heat will be the ninth seed.

Heat on a five-game win streak

The Heat beat Philadelphia last night and they are on a five-game win streak. As a fan, the fantastical version of the winning streak is that “it is the start of a monumental playoff run.” A realistic, sober fan would think, “well, why don’t we tank and get a good draft pick?”

Miami is one full game ahead of the Phoenix Suns for the eleventh pick in the NBA draft as per tankathon.com. The Heat organization will always say, “they don’t tank.” The Heat organization hasn’t pursued free agents. They have said the skills and abilities of their players translate to productivity (wins).

Heat playoff test in next two games

The Heat have beaten the Warriors, the Hornets, the Sixers, the Wizards and the Hawks. The true test will be tomorrow night against Boston and Thursday at home against Memphis. Andrew Wiggins is injured again but may have been held out for intensive treatment to get ready for Boston.

Whatever happens in Boston, the Heat team need to get on a plane and fly back down to Miami. Then, get ready to play Memphis later on Thursday at the Kaseya Center. Memphis took apart Miami the last time they played, so the Heat would want to “get one back.”

Heat at Bulls on April 9

Before the play-in begins, the first battle between the Heat and Bulls will be next Wednesday. Chicago has owned Miami this season. Josh Giddey took apart the Heat last game with a triple-double. The playoffs are a valid goal for the team. The coaching staff will “earn their money” in developing young players and getting them focused for the off-season.

This article first appeared on thePeachBasket and was syndicated with permission.

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