MIAMI _ The simplest part of the playoff equation also is the most difficult part of the process _ the math.
At 20-30 entering the weekend, the Miami Heat faced going 21-11 the balance of the season to reach .500.
To put that .656 pace into perspective, consider that only the Cleveland Cavaliers, Golden State Warriors and San Antonio Spurs went into the weekend playing at that rate. Extrapolated over the course of an entire season, it is the same 54-victory pace produced during the final season of the Heat's Big Three collaboration of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh in 2013-14.
Granted, the final playoff seed in the Eastern Conference might not require a 41-41 finish. But when there remain so many teams to leapfrog, it is a reasonable objective if the playoffs, indeed, are to be targeted.
Based on where the East stands at the moment, the Cavaliers stand alone. There then is second tier of seeming playoff locks, when counting the Boston Celtics, Toronto Raptors, Washington Wizards and Atlanta Hawks. And based on the play of the Indiana Pacers, an argument could be made that at least six teams in the East appear beyond the Heat's reach.
So what then for the remainder of the field if the Heat do indeed plan to move forward, and past the Feb. 23 NBA trading deadline, with a playoff push?
