2012 NBA standings: Heat still sitting pretty in Southeast

One thing the Heat won't need to worry about in their title defense this season is being pushed from within their own division.

As it stands, only two weeks into the season, Miami can almost assuredly be penciled in for the Southeast Division crown.

At 6-3, they're already 1.5 games up on their nearest competitor, the surprising 4-3 Bobcats. And while Charlotte's unexpected start is one of the more pleasant early story-lines in the NBA, they still have a -2.7 point differential and have won all four of their games against injury-depleted teams.

2-5 Orlando and 0-7 Washington already seem headed for another berth in the lottery, as neither has the type of talent base that can give the Heat any real trouble.

3-4 Atlanta is the only team in the division likely to stay in the playoff chase all season and they've already lost once to the Heat at home this year.