Will Miami rest their guys down the stretch for the 6th seed?

[jpotter33]

Miami is 0-2 vs. Boston this year and 3-1 vs. Atlanta. The 6th seed would face them with Atlanta over Boston, who they match up with much better than us, and it would also ensure not seeing Cleveland until the conference finals.

My theory is this: Miami's game plan will depend upon the result of our game Monday night. They'll still try for homecourt advantage, but that will be exceedingly unlikely if we win against Charlotte on Monday night, since they'd have to win in Detroit and Boston in consecutive nights (they've been absolutely horrible on the road as of late and are 1-4 vs Detroit and Boston this year). Thus, I bet they try to avoid us and Cleveland altogether and rest their guys on the final road trip in order to get the sixth seed.

What do you think? Is this their game plan? A lot of their fans are dreading the matchup against us and want Atlanta.

[jpotter33]

This might be a little more difficult now that Charlotte lost, but I still think this makes some sense.

Anybody?

[Celtics18]

It doesn't make sense to me for them to try to over-engineer their results to the level you are suggesting.  I would try to win the remaining games, and head into the playoffs on a strong note.

[KGs Knee]

It doesn't make sense to me for them to try to over-engineer their results to the level you are suggesting.  I would try to win the remaining games, and head into the playoffs on a strong note.

Yeah, I agree. Regardless of who plays who among Atlanta, Boston, Charlotte, and Miami these two series will be hotly contested. All four teams seem pretty even, with various strengths and weaknesses.

The only really important thing is trying to get home court advantage. Atl, Bos & Mia all still have a good shot at getting HC in round 1.

[jpotter33]

It doesn't make sense to me for them to try to over-engineer their results to the level you are suggesting.  I would try to win the remaining games, and head into the playoffs on a strong note.

Yeah, I agree. Regardless of who plays who among Atlanta, Boston, Charlotte, and Miami these two series will be hotly contested. All four teams seem pretty even, with various strengths and weaknesses.

The only really important thing is trying to get home court advantage. Atl, Bos & Mia all still have a good shot at getting HC in round 1.

I just don't see Miami's chances of getting home court. Sure, they'll be favored tonight against Orlando, but they're most likely favored to lose their games in Detroit and Boston, especially Boston.

However, I think Charlotte's loss today changes things. They'd pretty much have to purposefully lose three games in a row by resting guys, which isn't how you want to go into the playoffs. I think Charlotte is the one now who will just accept the sixth seed and rest down the stretch, or at least after Boston, because it will be virtually impossible for them to get home court advantage now.

Miami will have to win out to get home court advantage most likely, so if they happen to blow out it in Detroit on Tuesday, then I don't expect them to play their main guys against us on Wednesday.

EDIT: Well, I take that back. Charlotte is 1-3 vs Atlanta and 0-2 vs Boston (most likely 0-3 after tomorrow), so they're getting a crappy draw no matter what. It'll be interesting to see how things play out down the stretch, because I still do think most Miami people see Atlanta as a better matchup for them than Boston.

[MattyIce]

if miami loses to detroit tomorrow do they rest their guys on b2b to try and take 6th?  does charlotte do the same to stay in 6th?

[jpotter33]

if miami loses to detroit tomorrow do they rest their guys on b2b to try and take 6th?  does charlotte do the same to stay in 6th?

With Charlotte's win tonight, Miami very well might do just that. It does make some sense for them, because they matchup better with Atlanta, have played them tougher, and they'd avoid Cleveland until ECF.

However, there's also a slim chance that they could still end up third if they win in both Detroit and Boston and Atlanta loses to Washington on Wednesday, which isn't very likely.

To me, it makes sense, but listening to Wade it sounds like he prefers home court advantage over anything else. So who knows.

Charlotte won't though. They're 1-2 vs us and 1-3 vs Atlanta, and after winning tonight, they probably prefer us to Atlanta.