MIAMI _ There was a time, late January to be precise, when the view was from above when it came to considering possible first-round playoff opponents the Miami Heat might host.
A loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers followed, the start of a 1-7 swoon, changed the perspective.
To their credit, the Heat righted themselves to the degree that the mere right to consider playoff possibilities doesn't come off as presumptuous (thanks to some help from the Detroit Pistons and Charlotte Hornets).
The difference now is that the view comes from below, of where the Heat potentially might start the postseason.
The No. 4 seed certainly is mathematically possible, which would provide homecourt and a more favorable matchup. But, for the moment, the most likely landing spot would appear to be somewhere, to use NCAA-bracketing parlance, of the final four in from the Eastern Conference.
So what would be best when it comes to the most competitive possibility?
With just over a month to go in the season, here's one perspective:
