Not one, not two, and maybe not No. 8 playoff seed for Miami Heat
Tipoff: American Airlines Arena, 8 p.m.
Records: Cavaliers 42-25; Heat 29-36.
TV: FOX Sports Ohio. Radio: WTAM 1100, 100.7 WMMS, 87.7 FM La Mega, AM 1590 WAKR (Akron)
Projected Starters
Cavaliers: C Timofey Mozgov; PF Kevin Love; SF LeBron James; SG J.R. Smith; PG Kyrie Irving.
Magic: C Hassan Whiteside; PF Udonis Haslem; SF Luol Deng; SG Dwyane Wade; PG Goran Dragic.
Injury Report
Cavaliers: C Anderson Varejao (Achilles) out.
Heat: C/F Chris Bosh (blood clot) out; PF Josh McRoberts (knee) out.
Dribbles
1. It's amazing the difference one player can make. But in the NBA, that's just the way it goes, and it has gone that way since the beginning of time. The teams with the best player (and sorry, a healthy LeBron James is still the best) always win and win a lot. The teams without one of the top five players? Well, it's always a crapshoot.
2. Right now, the Heat do not have a top-five player. Dwyane Wade is having a nice season and is averaging 28.0 points per game over the last five games. Wade IS the Heat, and win or lose, Miami fans love him. He deserves credit for proving some of the doubters wrong and for showing that he's not washed up, as some said. But Wade is not LeBron.
3. Then there's Chris Bosh, who was having a great season until experiencing blood clots. Bosh has always been a class act and is expected to be OK in time for next year. The Heat undoubtedly need him.
4. But overall, yeah, the Heat are falling apart -- and a lot of folks around the league aren't shy about taking joy in president Pat Riley's struggles. Riley was (and still is) viewed as the epitome of arrogance by some opposing team executives. Personally, I've always found him to be quite engaging. But he tends to play kiss-up with reporters and often tries to use the media to his advantage.
5. Anyway, the Heat don't stink. They just don't scare anybody. The February trade for Goran Dragic hasn't done a whole lot for them -- although it might have if Bosh had stayed healthy. Not sure why Dragic wanted out of Phoenix so badly, though. This situation is probably worse, as the Heat aren't likely to get younger any time soon.
6. It's true Hassan Whiteside has been quite a story, coming out of nowhere to make a difference. He's truly been one of the league's best centers this season. But even if he sustains his great numbers, the question is, will he actually lead you to more wins?
7. Overall, coach Erik Spoelstra still does a nice job and has his players' respect. He just doesn't have the players anymore -- as Wade, Udonis Haslem, Luol Deng and a few others just aren't what they once were. Entering Monday, the Heat trailed the Hornets by a half-game for the final East playoff spot. The Heat might be better off just sitting this one out. They're not going anywhere.
8. Is there still such a thing as "The Heat Index?" That was a laughable idea to begin with.
9. As for the Cavs, the big mystery is whether or not LeBron James plays. James said he tweaked his knee in a "scary" fall in Sunday's win at Orlando. He is likely a game-time decision, although there has been no official word. I can't imagine he sits out this one, though. While the Heat being average-at-best removes some of the buzz, James still looks very much forward to playing against his old team.
10. The Cavs have won 24 of 29 overall, and even better, 22 of 23 when scoring at least 100 points. LeBron has played a huge role in Kyrie Irving becoming a winning player. Kevin Love isn't there yet, but he's certainly had his moments. Love only needs to be more aggressive and more consistent. No one will stop the Cavs if that happens.
11. Love is expected to play after resting in Sunday's win. Love or no, the Cavs have won the first three games of this four-game trip by an average of 17.0 points. Since Jan. 15, they are crushing people by an average of 11.1 per game.
12. Irving is averaging 26.3 points in March. LeBron James is at 25.9. It's not often that James is outscored by a teammate, but James is one guy who appears really happy it is happening now.
