Race to the #1 seed in the Eastern Conference

[dr3am]

Ok so here are the remaining schedules for both the Heat & Pacers

MIAMI



Indiana


- Heat have 29 games left. 17 games at home which include 6 home games against .500 & Above teams (vs CHI, vs HOU, vs MEM, vs POR, vs TOR & vs IND). 12 games on the road which include 5 road games against .500 & Above teams (@ HOU, @ SAS, @ CHI, @ IND, & @ MEM)

- Pacers have 27 games left. 12 at home which include 5 home games against .500 & Above teams (vs GSW, vs CHI, vs MIA, vs SAS & vs OKC). 15 games on the road which include 6 road games against .500 & Above teams (@ HOU, @ DAL, @ MEM, @ CHI, @ TOR & @ MIA)

The negative for us is that we're 24-10 against teams that are below .500 while the Pacers are 31-5 against teams that are below .500

But the positive is that we're 15-4 against .500 & above teams while the Pacers are 11-8 against .500 & above teams

With all that being said and if you were a betting man or woman, who would you put your money on to finish with the #1 seed in the Eastern Conference?

[HeatNation88]

The Heat will get the first seed

[AlexCRO]

i think we will get the first seed...

[Tony15]

I'll put my money on Indiana getting it, since they've publically stated numerous times how important it is to them. Miami has a great shot at it now....but I'm not convinced that they think it's really that important at the expense of being well rested for the playoffs.

[HIF]

like the Heat players. I don't care.

If we get it, we get it.

[mademan]

like the Heat players. I don't care.

If we get it, we get it.

It didn't matter at the beginning of the season, and it didn't matter when it seemed like Indy would run away with it. But if it's in striking distance (1-2 game difference) in the last 20 games, you're crazy if you think the Heat won't actively try and get it.

[HEAT111]

I like our chances.

[Mugiwara]

I just want to see the Pacers facing the Bulls in the 2nd round.

This might sound crazy but I honestly don't know if they'd reach the ECF in that scenario. Would be funny as hell, though.

If we can get that 1st seed, very well.
Chicago seems to be climbing up the standings as of lately and I think they'll be the 3rd seed.
So for a team as ours that has played so many games the last 3 years, their style of play could really hurt us in the latter rounds. Don't think for a second that I'm afraid of the Bulls, we'd thrash them, just being smart about it.
If we can avoid the Nets and the Bulls till the ECF, that would be the ideal situation for us.

[BoshtimusPrime]

We will know after seeing how they play against the next four teams who are bad to mediocre.

[Lord Hades]

We will know after seeing how they play against the next four teams who are bad to mediocre.

Pretty much. Tighten up on the 'supposed to win' games.

All in all, I'm not concerned with it; we can win anywhere. It would be funny though, given all the Pacers yapping about it.

[PacerNation24]

I still think we will get the #1 seed (we as in Pacers), Paul George looks well rested now and has dominated his last 3 games (26, 35, and 32 points in each game), we still have to add Evan Turner, and if everything goes right he can be top 3 6th man in the league, everything we've heard about Bynum says he is impressing the coaches with his work ethic and determination to play, and we still have a 2.5 game lead

[SlowPaced]

Pacers have an easier schedule. I'm gonna say Pacers. But if we go on a winning streak, watch out.

[DefenseWins]

We need to beat Indiana in March and April

Though the April game, that's usually when the heat rest for the playoffs

But Indiana needs more losses handed to them this year

I'm honestly surprised they have kept this up, I expected them to fall off around this time

Hard to say if we will get it but already some bad losses have caught up to us

[greg4012]

I still think we will get the #1 seed (we as in Pacers), Paul George looks well rested now and has dominated his last 3 games (26, 35, and 32 points in each game), we still have to add Evan Turner, and if everything goes right he can be top 3 6th man in the league, everything we've heard about Bynum says he is impressing the coaches with his work ethic and determination to play, and we still have a 1.5 game lead

Fixed that for ya

Pacers have an easier schedule. I'm gonna say Pacers. But if we go on a winning streak, watch out.

Pacers do not have an easier schedule. Pacers have played 4 more home games than us (they're one of the teams that has played the most home games in the league up to this point).

[heater4life]

Pacers and Heat have similar schedules down the stretch. On ABC they said Indiana has the 24th hardest down the stretch while Heat have 26th. Indy plays a few more road games than Miami.

Its going to be tight, that matchup in March is going to be tough @ Indiana. But it will be crucial.

If its still neck and neck down the stretch, look for the starters to be playing a hard fought battle April 11th. I think Heat can take it.

[Jaxon]

we still have to add Evan Turner, and if everything goes right he can be top 3 6th man in the league

lol is this what Pacer fans really think

We need to beat Indiana in March and April

Though the April game, that's usually when the heat rest for the playoffs

But Indiana needs more losses handed to them this year

I'm honestly surprised they have kept this up, I expected them to fall off around this time

Hard to say if we will get it but already some bad losses have caught up to us

They have fallen off.

[Jaxon]

As for us playing that game in April...I have a feeling Spo will pull a Popovich and sit the Big 3 that game, just to show we really don't look at the Pacers as a threat and are more worried about us, play mind games.

[heater4life]

As for us playing that game in April...I have a feeling Spo will pull a Popovich and sit the Big 3 that game, just to show we really don't look at the Pacers as a threat and are more worried about us, play mind games.

No mind games needed if HCA is at stake. Theres a fine line between confidence and cockiness, Spo wont cross it against Indiana. They're a real threat.

[Mars]

HEAT defense versus last three opponents (DAL, OKC, CHI):

88.7 PPG
99-247 FGA (.401 FG)
20-70 FG3A (.286 FG3)

[goating]

As long as LeBron keeps balling we have the top seed even BR.