The Miami Heat Fail To Finish Season Strong

After four straight seasons of going to the NBA finals, the Miami Heat are on the verge of being out of the playoffs. Miami appeared like a solid favorite to keep the seven seed, and face off against the Cleveland Cavaliers in a dream first round match up, but that won’t happen.

The Brooklyn Nets and Boston Celtics now hold the seven and eighth seeds. But Miami does keep its hopes alive after beating Orlando 100-93 on Monday night.  Miami needs to beat Philadelphia Wednesday and get help elsewhere if it is to make the playoffs.

The last time the Heat didn’t make the playoffs was the 2007-2008 season.

The Heat could have a top 10 pick in this year’s draft. It’s pick is also top 10 protected, meaning that the Heat won’t owe the Sixers a pick until 2017. Great news for a team needing to fill its roster with depth.

Aside from the array of injuries affecting the Heat’s key players this season, there isn’t much talent on this roster.

At one point in the season the likes of James Ennis and Henry Walker were starting for the Heat. In addition, Luol Deng has struggled at times throughout the season.

One of the most surprising talents to emerge out of a depleted Heat roster this season is Hassan Whiteside. The towering center temporarily revived the Heat after signing with the team during the season. Whiteside’s efficiency isn’t a short-lived phenomenon either.  Whiteside is still showing upside, averaging 11 points per game, 10 rebounds per game, and 2.5 blocks pregame.

The Heat have Whiteside on the cheap for now. Whiteside is on a two-year contract, and will become an unrestricted free agent during the 2016 offseason.