Nets, Heat both trying to match up with Raptors?

[zilby]

It's a game of tactics between all these teams now.

Truthfully, I'm up for the challenge. **** em, this team ought to go out and prove them wrong. Remind the Heat they're 11-13 in their last 24, and the Nyets that they're inferior overpaid washups.

Time to nut up or shut up, Raps. I'm not running to lose against NY to avoid them. Prepare yourself to the best of your ability and have the killer instinct.

[Thelonious]

We can rest all of our starters. If we win, no biggie. And if we lose, the storyline will be entirely about playoff strategy, whether we keep the 3rd seed (i.e. rest) or get 4th seed (i.e. matchups).

Plus let's remind the Knicks how much of a failed season they're having by graciously granting them a win in the their first truly meaningless game.

[theSkinny]

Other teams angling for us makes for a great story line if it blows up in their face.

We need Aretha Franklin and Rodney Dangerfields corpse sitting courtside before we get any R-E-S-P-E-C-T.

[COY0607]

resting players to manipulate standings is a losing mentality- 2014 raptors are past that, it a new era for dino basketball
i want the 3rd seed and then i want to sweep whoever we face in the first round- especially if its brooklyn

[Thelonious]

Also, something to notice: the Bulls tipoff is an hour before ours, so we could still try to win the game if the Bulls lock us in the 3rd seed.

[geokilla]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/WindhorstESPN/status/456082749418663936[/tweet]

[heatwillbeback]

That's a pretty ballsy risk by Miami to give up home court in the ECF for the possibility of a bit of rest in the second round.

As a heat fan, the sad part is I think we went for that first seed, and would of had it if not for the hawks being extremely motivated and frankly kicking our butts the other night.

As for raptors or bulls in the second round, no disrespect to the raptors, but I would take them. It's not even which team is better, it's which team will cause less headaches. Heat/bulls is crazy tense and there will be lots of hard fouls/stare downs/ possible suspension type of situations, not to mention the obvious physicality. The teams hate each other.

I respect what the raptors have done this year and if they win they EARN their seed, but since we are stuck in second, I would rather avoid the highly emotional series if possible.

[artsncrafts]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/WindhorstESPN/status/456082749418663936[/tweet]

Wouldn't that be DISrespect? Or was it a /green tweet

[Waylon Mercy]

In 2008 we chanted "Hooooooooooooooooooward"...

If the Nets pulls off this crap to face us we can chant "Cooooooooooooooooooooowards"

[Thelonious]

Question: if we beat Indiana would we have home court in the ECF?

[Scarface844]

The Heat do not care. I hate the Heat but no one in this league can beat them in a 7 game series besides the Spurs. They are simply trying to go into the playoffs healthy.

The Nets on the other hand are probably trying to drop to 6th because Kidd is sneaky like that. Who cares tbh. If the Nets want us bring em on. Let the chips fall where they may.

[Shock Defeat]

The Heat do not care. I hate the Heat but no one in this league can beat them in a 7 game series besides the Spurs. They are simply trying to go into the playoffs healthy.

The Nets on the other hand are probably trying to because Kidd is sneaky like that. Who cares tbh. If the Nets want us bring em on. Let the chips fall where they may.

dumb mentality.

You always try to face the weaker team. These games are meaningless now, it's smart to maneuver yourself like this.

[zilby]

Question: if we beat Indiana would we have home court in the ECF?

We would only have homecourt if we played any team not named the Miami Heat due to seeding.

[Scarface844]

You always try to face the weaker team. These games are meaningless now, it's smart to maneuver yourself like this.

Pussy mentality. I dont want the team to lose the 3rd seed because the Nets are gonna throw some games to get us. Let them. Its not a guarantee to work regardless. As far as the Heat they dont give a ****, they will beat anyone in the east or west besides the Spurs.

[Ari_Emanuel]

I believe the Nets would try something like that.. but i don't think the Heat care.. theyd beat anyone of bkn/chi/tor in probably 5.. 6 at the most

I'm confident the Heat would lose to BKN in 6. They have more talent even without Brook and are a better half court team at this point.

[Michael Bradley]

The Heat can beat the Raptors in 4 games, maybe 5 if they decide to coast in Game 3. It would be a much more intense match-up against the Bulls or Nets. I think the Heat know they can beat anyone, but they just want to make the Finals with as much rest and good health as possible.

Regardless, it is what it is. Eventually, all teams that advance to the 2nd round have to face Miami or Indiana, and let's not get carried away, the Raptors would lose to the Pacers as well. At this point, the only team that benefits from blowing their games is the Nets, as the Bulls would be a much tougher match-up for them and there is no guarantee that could advance. No guarantee they would advance against the Raptors either but it's a lot more likely that they can.

[Scarface844]

I'm confident the Heat would lose to BKN in 6. They have more talent even without Brook and are a better half court team at this point.

LOLLL. The Heat would beat the Nets in 5 games, 6 at best in the playoffs. Can we stop overrating the Nets?

[artsncrafts]

I'm confident the Heat would lose to BKN in 6. They have more talent even without Brook and are a better half court team at this point.

LOLLL. The Heat would beat the Nets in 5 games, 6 at best in the playoffs. Can we stop overrating the Nets?

They have Blatche, man BLATCHE!

[Mr_NC]

Lol oh man, I expect 2nd round 1st round is just playing to all the haters hands

[LLJ]

The Heat would take out the Nets, but not 5 games. I see at least 6 possibly 7.

If I were a team I'd avoid the Bulls at all costs, which is what these teams are doing.