We're number two! We're number two! The Miami Heat clinched the second seed in the Eastern Conference with last night's 114-93 loss to the Washington Wizards, a terrific feat for most teams, but not so much a reason to celebrate for your defending back-to-back NBA champions.
If resting LeBron James and Chris Bosh didn't tell you all you needed to know about the Miami Heat's priorities when it comes to seeding versus health, the Milwaukee Bucks-esque tanktastic level of play by their bench in the second-to-last game filled you in on the rest. They don't care about your silly seeding system. The fans might; they don't. They are totally over the foreplay.
See also: The Miami Heat Really Wants Second Place
While there are conspiracy theorists who seem to believe the team has actually been throwing games on the off chance teams of its liking fall perfectly in the Heat's path, that hasn't been the case. That's ridiculous. Those people are ridiculous. Last night, however -- if you're selling it, I'm buying it.
LMAOOO "@DeMcDe: Heat scoreboard tonight courtesy of @DanGnajerle pic.twitter.com/Zqk8WAad4m"
— yelhsa leinad (@XxAshes2Ashes) April 15, 2014
Heat fans flipping out, with good reason. After all, no No. 2 seed has gone on to win the NBA title since ... 2012.
— Tim Reynolds (@ByTimReynolds) April 15, 2014
The Heat guys have found themselves in the oddly, possibly, maybe advantageous two-seed spot that matches them up with the Charlotte Bobcats in the first round and then the winner of a potential Wizards-Raptors series in the second, leaving the Pacers, Bulls, and Nets to beat themselves up on the opposite side.
Of course, there is still one game left for most teams after last night, so things can still change. For now, the Heat seems to have lucked out with the easier path. A few scenarios remain that would totally change the Heat's path, rendering the barbershop rumors of ultra-secret Area 51 plans to tank certain games meaningless:
If Wiz lose at Boston & Bobcats beat Bulls Wed, Charlotte finishes 6th, Washington 7th. If WAS/CHA both win or lose, Wiz 6th, Cats 7th...
— David Aldridge (@daldridgetnt) April 15, 2014
With Toronto, Chicago wins, Raptors still 3rd, Bulls 4th. If both win/lose last game, that stays the same. Bulls need to be one up for 3rd..
— David Aldridge (@daldridgetnt) April 15, 2014
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