The Miami Heat are hanging on to the eight seed in the Eastern Conference for dear life with the Orlando Magic surging behind them. In front of the Heat in the seven seed are the suddenly floundering Detroit Pistons, leaving just enough room for error that the Heat might have as good a shot at the seven seed as missing out on the playoffs entirely.
With just nine games remaining for all three teams, perhaps the most critical week of the regular season for the trio is set to unfold. With just two games in the standings separating the seven seed from ninth place, all games matter, but head to head games and matchups against very good teams are additionally important.