The Miami Heat enter today's showdown with the Boston Celtics with a record of 37-13, good for first place in the Southeast division standings of the NBA's Eastern Conference. With sixteen games left in the regular season for Miami, they hold a comfortable 6 game lead over the second place Orlando Magic and a 7 1/2 game cushion over the third place Atlanta Hawks.
Miami has a firm grasp on the two seed in the Eastern Conference playoff standings, but they still has some work to do if they hope to catch the Chicago Bulls. Despite Derek Rose missing the last nine games with a strained groin, the Bulls have managed to maintain their lead over the Heat. They currently have a record of 42-11, giving them a 3 1/2 game lead on Miami. If the season ended today the Heat would still be guaranteed home court advantage for at least the first two rounds of the playoffs, but with plenty of games left to play LeBron James and company will no doubt be pushing the Buls for the top spot.
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