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The Miami Heat will wrap up their regular season schedule tonight in our nations capital when they face the suddenly very hot Wizards. A couple weeks ago it may have been a little worrisome playing a road game against a team on their longest winning streak (5 games) in four and a half years, but right now all that matters to the Heat are the games that will come after this one.
Its more then likely that Heat coach Erik Spoelstra will rest LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, and probably a few more of his regulars. The Heat are expected to be at full strength when the playoffs begin, but hopefully all the rest that Coach Spoelstra has been giving his players lately will pay off.
Miami will begin their quest towards an NBA Championship this weekend, either against the New York Knicks or Philadelphia 76ers. Both teams have clinched a playoff spot, and are currently tied in the standings for 7th place, with the Knicks holding the tiebreaker.
While the Heat have clinched the 2nd seed for the second straight year, we wont know who their 1st round opponent is until after the Knicks and Sixers wrap up their seasons tonight. New York's final game is in Charlotte while Philly closes things out at Detroit. The only way that Miami will play Philadelphia is if the Sixers win their game and the Knicks lose theirs.
GAME NOTES
- Miami is 18-14 at home. The Wizards are 10-22 at home.
- Washington is on a 4-season long 5-game winning streak.
- The Wiz have also won two straight games at home.
- This is the 3rd and final meeting between the Heat and Wizards.
- Miami won the first game in D.C. while the Wiz won on Saturday in South Florida.
- The Heat have won their last 7 visits to Washington.
- While Miami is likely to rest most of their regulars, the Wizards will probably go with their normal starting lineup.
- For the Wiz, forwards Rashard Lewis (knee) and Andray Blatche (conditioning) are out.
Tipoff from the Verizon Center is set for 8pm. The game will be broadcast locally on Sun Sports.