With 14 games left in the regular season, the Miami Heat is running out of time to lock up home-court advantage for the playoffs. They’re in a battle for the best regular-season record with Eastern Conference rivals the Indiana Pacers and Western Conference teams the San Antonio Spurs, Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets, and Los Angeles Clippers. How important is having the best regular-season record? Just ask Ray Allen, who tiptoed to the three-point line in game six of last year’s NBA Finals and infamously yelled at a group of sideline ushers: “Get those mother[bleep]ing ropes out of here!”
This season ends with eight of the last 14 games at home, and this matchup against the Portland Trailblazers will be a knock-down, drag-out fight. The last time the two teams faced off, the Heat was missing its basketball messiah, LeBron James, but that didn’t keep the team’s oft-overlooked third superstar, Chris Bosh, from scoring 37 points, including the game-winning three-pointer. The season rematch happens this Monday at the American Airlines Arena (601 Biscayne Blvd., Miami). Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m. Tickets cost $40 to $360. Visit heat.com or call 786-777-1000.
Mon., March 24, 7:30 p.m., 2014