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.
On the Bright Side For The Heat…
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.
On a Brighter Side
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.

About Richard Gomez

Check Also

Orange & Blue Sports Network

Catch the student-led broadcasts from the College of Journalism and Communications right here.

LIVE THREAD: National Signing Day

Here’s an updated thread of all the recruits who picked the Gator hat today! RB …

AFC Divisional Round Preview: Pittsburgh Steelers

During last weekend’s NFL Wild Card round, the Steelers made a statement by handing the Dolphins a …

Houston Looking For an Upset in Foxborough

The saying has always been “it’s hard to beat a good team twice,” and in …

Blue Jackets vs. Lightning Tonight

The Columbus Blue Jackets and the Tampa Bay Lightning will be facing each other once …

Possible Additions to McElwain’s Recruiting Class Visiting this Weekend

With National Signing Day less than three weeks away, the Gators are hosting several talented …

Florida Gymnastics Prepares for Season Opener

GAINESVILLE, FL – The Florida Gator gymnastics team will kick off their season this Sunday …

Surprised Gators Promote Randy Shannon To Defensive Coordinator? You Shouldn’t Be

Florida’s head coach, Jim McElwain, announced Friday morning that Randy Shannon would be making the …

Quarterbacks in Spotlight for NFL Wild Card Weekend

The NFL Wild Card kicks off Saturday and the quarterback situations could not be any more different. On …

College Football Playoff Shakes Up Schedule

The College Football Playoff was a success in its first year. Yet, that doesn’t stop …

Michael Jordan Speaks out about Shootings, Police Officers

NBA great Michael Jordan opened up about his thoughts about shootings of African-Americans and the …

Treon Harris to Transfer

With the college football season approaching, the Florida Gators have announced that former starting QB …

USA Basketball Wins Second Exhibition Game

Just a few short days after their big win over Argentina, team USA won its …

Charlotte Is No Longer The Home Of The 2017 NBA All-Star Game

The House Bill 2 came between Charlotte, North Carolina and the 2017 All-Star Game. The …

Tampa Bay Rays Continue Series Against Oakland

The Tampa Bay Rays are continuing their three-game winning streak. The Rays defeated the Oakland …

MLB Preview Tonight

It’s summer time—the best time to go to a baseball game and experience the atmosphere. …

Braves Begin Series With Rockies

The Atlanta Braves (33-62) open up a four-game road series with the Rockies (43-51) tonight …

Marlins To Close Out Series With The Phillies

The Miami Marlins are in the middle of a crucial ten game span against NL East …

Rays Crush Rockies 11-3, Face A’s Next

In the midst of a terrible season that has seen the Tampa Bay Rays (37-57) …

American League Second Half Outlook

The second half of the baseball season is in full swing which translates to? Pennant races. Teams …

National League Evening Preview

Tonight is a busy night for the National League in the MLB. Starting with the …

Big 12 Looks To Expand

Following a Tuesday meeting between Big 12 presidents, Oklahoma president David Boren announced that the …

LSU Looks To Capitalize On Its Opportunity

The Louisiana State University Tigers will enter the 2016 college football season with high expectations, …

Muschamp Helps Close Out SEC Media Days 2016

It wasn’t Will Muschamps first SEC Media Days experience, but 2016 marked the first time …

Phil Mickelson Leads British Open After First Day

The 145th annual 2016 British Open is underway at Royal Troon Golf Club in Scotland. The …

Missouri’s Football Crisis: Rebuilding A Program

On the final day of SEC Media Days, Barry Odom took the stand as Missouri’s head …

Second Half Of MLB Season Begins

The All-Star Break is a good time for teams to rest up and reform themselves …

British Open Underway

The 145th Open Championship is already underway at the Royal Troon Golf Club in Scotland. Welcome …

Gators Softball Blows Six-Run Lead, Drops First Game Against Bulldogs

The No. 10 Florida Gators softball team lost to the No. 17 Mississippi State Bulldogs, …