ASK IRA: Is there actually something at stake for Heat in Toronto?
Q: How big are these games against Toronto? – Ed. A: Big enough that they could have a huge impact on postseason tiebreakers.
The Heat cannot win a head-to-head tiebreaker against the Raptors (due to the secondary tiebreaker of conference record) even if they win these two games in Toronto to finish 2-2 in the season series. But by winning both in Toronto, it would position the Heat very ...
Q: How big are these games against Toronto? – Ed. A: Big enough that they could have a huge impact on postseason tiebreakers .
The Heat cannot win a head-to-head tiebreaker against the Raptors (due to the secondary tiebreaker of conference record) even if they win these two games in Toronto to finish 2-2 in the season series. But by winning both in Toronto, it would position the Heat very strongly in multiple-team tiebreakers involving the Raptors, 76ers and Hornets. That’s because the Heat closed 2-1 against the 76ers and 3-1 against the Hornets.
So, yes, something to play for at Scotiabank Arena. (That said, at 0-5 against Orlando, any multiple-team tiebreaker involving the Magic would mean the Heat would come up short. ) Related Articles Submit your “Ask Ira” question here!