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2024 Miami Heat playoff picture following win over Atlanta Hawks (April 9): Updated standings, schedule and more

The Miami Heat held on for a critical 117-111 double-overtime road win over the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday, preserving their chances of avoiding the play-in tournament.

Miami led by as many as 15 points late in the first half. However, Atlanta stormed back in the third quarter, tying the game 80-80 entering the fourth. That set the stage for a back-and-forth final frame.

With the Hawks trailing 101-99, star guard Dejounte Murray drove for a game-tying layup with 16.5 seconds remaining. However, Heat star center Bam Adebayo goaltended his shot, knotting the game 101-101.

On the other end, Heat shooting guard Tyler Herro missed a 28-foot 3-pointer at the buzzer, resulting in the first of two overtimes.

In the first OT, Atlanta built an early four-point advantage. However, Miami later tied the game 107-107 after a 3-pointer from forward Haywood Highsmith with 46.1 seconds remaining.

Murray subsequently had a chance to win the game but missed a step-back 3 with 1.1 seconds remaining.

The Heat ultimately prevailed in the second OT outscoring the Hawks 16-10 to secure a six-point road victory. They were led by Herro, who recorded a game-high 33 points, five rebounds, four assists and four 3s on 52.0% shooting. He was one of three Miami players to score 23-plus points.

Meanwhile, the Heat overcame a triple-double from Murray, who tallied 29 points, 13 rebounds, 13 assists, four steals and three 3s on 38.7% shooting.

Miami's win marked its fifth in its last seven games. Nonetheless, the Heat will likely need to finish the season undefeated to have a chance of obtaining a top-six seed.

On that note, here’s a snapshot of Miami's standing in the Eastern Conference playoff picture with three games remaining.


Miami Heat Playoff Picture: Standings

Following Tuesday's win over Atlanta, the Heat (44-35) remain eighth in the East. They trail the seventh-seeded Philadelphia 76ers (45-35) by just 0.5 games and the sixth-seeded Indiana Pacers (46-34) by 1.5 games.

Additionally, only 2.0 games separate Miami from the fourth and fifth-seeded Orlando Magic (46-33) and Cleveland Cavaliers (46-33). So, it has an outside chance of securing homecourt advantage for the first round of the playoffs.

However, at worst, the Heat have already locked up a play-in berth, as they have a considerable 7.0-game cushion over the ninth-placed Chicago Bulls (37-42).

Updated Eastern Conference standings following Miami Heat's win over Atlanta Hawks
Updated Eastern Conference standings following Miami Heat's win over Atlanta Hawks

Miami Heat Playoff Picture: Schedule

Fortunately for Miami, it has the league's fifth-easiest remaining strength of schedule, with an average opponent winning percentage of .418.

The Heat face a tough test on Wednesday against the Dallas Mavericks (49-30). However, after that, they close the season with back-to-back matchups against the lowly Toronto Raptors (25-54) on Friday and Sunday.

All three of Miami's remaining games take place at home. So, it should finish the season strong.

Miami Heat's remaining schedule
Miami Heat's remaining schedule

Miami Heat Playoff Picture: X-factor

The Heat have struggled with injuries all season, marking a big factor in their 21st-ranked offensive rating (113.2). However, the return of Herro has provided them with a much-needed offensive boost.

The 24-year-old has played three consecutive games since returning from a 20-game absence due to right foot medial tendinitis. During that stretch, he ranks second on Miami in scoring, averaging 23.7 points, along with 5.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 2.7 3-pointers per game on 51.0% shooting.

If the Heat can keep Herro healthy entering the postseason, it should bode well for their chances of pulling off another surprise playoff run.


Also Read: "He will be next Shaq if Miami gets him" - NBA fans stir debate over Zach Edey being seen as perfect fit on Heat ahead of 2024 Draft

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