- Jimmy Butler’s savage comments after Game 1 win: ‘I like physicality, I want to run into people and see who falls down first’
- Dwyane Wade gives Jimmy Butler his flowers after masterful Game 1 performance vs. Celtics
- Report: Boston Celtics lose 2 starters ahead of ECF Game 1 vs. Miami Heat
- Scout bashes Tyler Herro, says he hasn’t shown he’s a productive option behind Jimmy Butler
- Ime Udoka offers big updates on 2 key Celtics players ahead of Game 1 vs. Heat
- Former Dallas Mavericks champ shares which players were angered by LeBron and D-Wade mocking Dirk’s sickness
- Scout predicts startling different outcomes for Miami Heat’s potential series vs. Milwaukee Bucks or Boston Celtics
- Udonis Haslem discloses how Florida Panthers’ ‘exciting’ playoff run has ‘captivated my attention’
- Bam Adebayo says Jimmy Butler was better player in 2020 bubble than he is now during 2022 playoffs
- Metta Sandiford-Artest says Dwyane Wade is ‘maybe top 3 or 4’ among shooting guards in NBA history
ESPN Releases Prediction of Miami Heat’s Playoff Ranking for 2017-18 Season
- Updated: August 16, 2017
The manner in which the Miami Heat finished last season gave rise to the hope that it would serve as momentum for a strong 2017-18 season. However, the overall strength of the Eastern Conference has ESPN offering a more measured response with their prediction of a sixth-seed finish for Erik Spoelstra‘s squad.
The network’s final regular-season prediction shows an improvement of three games to 44-38, compared to the 41-41 campaign in 2016-17. In the latter case, it was a tale of two seasons marked by an injury-plagued first half that resulted in an 11-30 mark at the midway point. However, a complete reversal during the second half saw a 30-11 finish that resulted in a near-miss in connection with the postseason.
That record would allow the Heat to reach the playoffs, with ESPN noting that the last time the Heat missed the postseason in consecutive years was 2002 and 2003. It also noted that the longest stretch in team history for a playoff drought has been three years.
Should the sixth-seed prediction pan out, the Heat would face the Washington Wizards in this hypothetical scenario. Listed below are the top eight spots in the Eastern Conference, along with their projected records:
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1. Boston Celtics, 54-28
2. Cleveland Cavaliers, 52-30
3. Washington Wizards, 49-33
4. Milwaukee Bucks, 47-35 (tie)
4. Toronto Raptors, 47-35 (tie)
6. Miami Heat, 44-38
7. Charlotte Hornets, 42-40
8. Philadelphia 76ers, 37-45 (tie)
8. Detroit Pistons, 37-45 (tie)
The Heat will get their 2017-18 season underway on Oct. 18, when they travel to face their in-state rival Orlando Magic. Three nights later, they’ll play their home-opener against the Indiana Pacers. That contests at American Airlines Arena will get underway at 8 p.m.
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