Heat gets lift with Tuesday losses by Chicago and Atlanta. How that affects Miami
The Heat’s chances of hosting a postseason game - and potentially getting two chances to make the playoffs - received oxygen on Tuesday when the teams directly ahead of them, Chicago and Atlanta, both lost.
While the Heat contingent was in its hotel in Chicago, awaiting Wednesday night’s critical game against the Bulls at the United Center, Chicago was resting several key players and losing big in Cleveland.
That 135-113 Cavaliers blowout win left the No. 10 Heat and the No. 9 Bulls with identical 36-43 records, and means the winner of Wednesday’s Heat-Bulls game will hold the inside track to host a play-in game.
The Bulls already have clinched the tiebreaker against the Heat by winning the first two games of the season series.
So Miami would need to finish one game ahead of the Bulls to jump Chicago - something that would be a long shot if the Bulls beat the Heat for a third time on Wednesday.
After Wednesday’s game, both teams have easy remaining schedules: Chicago is home to Washington on Friday and at Philadelphia on Sunday. The Heat plays at New Orleans on Friday and plays host to the Wizards on Sunday.
So Miami would get at least the ninth seed by winning out, which would mean hosting a playoff game against the 10th seed, either Chicago or Atlanta (37-42).
Meanwhile, the Hawks’ loss to Orlando on Tuesday opened the door to the possibility of Miami moving up to eighth.
The Heat would finish eighth if it wins its final three games and if the Hawks lose one of their remaining three games. In that scenario, the Heat and Hawks would both finish with 43 losses, but Miami would win the tiebreaker - and the eighth seed - by virtue of a better division record.
Atlanta closes with road games at Brooklyn and Philadelphia and then plays Orlando at home.
The Heat cannot finish any higher than eighth.
In the play-in tournament, the eighth seed will play at the seventh seed on Tuesday night, while the 10th seed will play at the ninth seed on Wednesday night. The winner of the 7-8 game advances to play the No. 2 seed Boston in the first round of the playoffs.
The loser of the 7-8 game plays host to the winner of the 9-10 game on Friday, April 18, for the right to play top seeded Cleveland in the playoffs. The loser of the 9-10 game goes on vacation.
If the Heat loses on Wednesday, it could still jump Atlanta by winning out and if the Hawks lose two of their final three.
The Heat says Bam Adebayo is available for Wednesday’s game after missing Monday’s win against the 76ers with back spasms. Forward Andrew Wiggins, who has missed six games with a hamstring injury, is listed as questionable.
This story was originally published April 8, 2025 at 9:26 PM.
