Charlotte Hornets: The Race for the 4th Seed

Miami Heat

The Miami Heat are 42-30, meaning that they have played one fewer game than the Hornets to this point. They sit half a game behind Boston and half a game ahead of Charlotte in the standings. The Heat might have been the most complete team of this group on paper, but lingering issues with Chris Bosh have led to some doubts.

Remaining Heat games:

Brooklyn

@ LA Lakers

@ Sacramento

@ Portland

Detroit

Chicago

@ Orlando

Orlando

@ Detroit

@ Boston

The Heat also have one last Western swing in them though it is not as tough as Boston’s. In fact the Heat schedule is pretty manageable compared to the other two teams on the list. That has to do with the appearance of the Orlando Magic twice and one game against the Brooklyn Nets.

The model would predict Miami victories against Lakers, Kings, Nets, two Magic wins, Detroit (home), and Chicago. That would take Miami’s 42-30 record and raise it to 49-33 and place them over the top of the Hawks and Celtics. That would guarantee Miami at least fourth place and a home playoff series regardless of whatever we predict for Charlotte.

So a favorable schedule seems poised to put the Miami Heat at home in the first round of playoffs despite a final loss to Boston at the end of the year.

There is only one team left, our own Charlotte Hornets.

Next: Charlotte