Heat clinch top seed in Eastern Conference ahead of upcoming NBA Playoffs

Kyle Lowry, Jimmy Butler, Duncan Robinson and Bam Adebayo of the Miami Heat look on against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the second half at FTX Arena on March 11, 2022 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) (Michael Reaves, 2022 Michael Reaves)

MIAMI – The Miami Heat will head into the NBA playoffs with the top spot in the Eastern Conference.

Thursday night the Heat clinched the No. 1 seed in the East by virtue of the Toronto Raptors defeating the Philadelphia 76ers and the Milwaukee Bucks beating the Boston Celtics.

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Miami, which was idle, will now enter the postseason as the top team in the East for the fourth time in franchise history and the first time since the 2012-13 season, the last year the Heat won an NBA title.

The Heat will now hold home court advantage through at least the first three rounds of the playoffs.

Miami will open its postseason schedule on Sunday, April 17 at FTX Arena, though the Heat’s opening round opponent has yet to be determined.


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