What tonight means for the Heat' playoff race
The Heat are 0-0 with a magic number of 83 and an elimination number of 83 — in the play-in as the No. 9 seed — 0 behind Cavaliers for a guaranteed top-6 spot.
Nothing is decided for a top-6 seed tonight.
Top-6 seedMagic 83 · Elim 83
Nothing is decided for a top-6 seed tonight.
The Heat can't clinch a top-6 seed tonight: the magic number is 83, and nothing tonight can move it.
The Heat can't be eliminated tonight: the elimination number is 83, and the worst case after tonight's games is 83.
Once tonight's games are final, the magic number will be 83 and the elimination number will be 83.
Play-in spotMagic 83 · Elim 83
Nothing is decided for at least a play-in spot tonight.
The Heat can't clinch at least a play-in spot tonight: the magic number is 83, and nothing tonight can move it.
The Heat can't be eliminated tonight: the elimination number is 83, and the worst case after tonight's games is 83.
Once tonight's games are final, the magic number will be 83 and the elimination number will be 83.
Division titleMagic 83 · Elim 83
Nothing is decided for the division title tonight.
The Heat can't clinch the division title tonight: the magic number is 83, and nothing tonight can move it.
The Heat can't be eliminated tonight: the elimination number is 83, and the worst case after tonight's games is 83.
Once tonight's games are final, the magic number will be 83 and the elimination number will be 83.
No. 1 seedMagic 83 · Elim 83
Nothing is decided for the No. 1 seed and home court tonight.
The Heat can't clinch the No. 1 seed and home court tonight: the magic number is 83, and nothing tonight can move it.
The Heat can't be eliminated tonight: the elimination number is 83, and the worst case after tonight's games is 82.
Once tonight's games are final, the magic number will be 83 and the elimination number will be 82.
Games that matter tonight
- Celtics at Pistons
- 76ers at Knicks
Every combination of these results (4 in all) was checked with the same conservative math as the standings page, so each path listed is a mathematical guarantee — no tiebreaker assumptions in your favor. Want the result-by-result version? The rooting guide on the team page shows what each game does to the numbers.
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Frequently asked questions
How can the Miami Heat clinch a top-6 seed tonight?
The Heat can't clinch a top-6 seed tonight: the magic number is 83, and nothing tonight can move it.
Can the Miami Heat be eliminated tonight?
The Heat can't be eliminated tonight: the elimination number is 83, and the worst case after tonight's games is 83.
What is the Miami Heat magic number right now?
The Miami Heat magic number is 83 and their elimination number is 83. Once tonight's games are final, the magic number will be 83 and the elimination number will be 83.
How are these scenarios calculated?
Every combination of results in the NBA games that bear on the race tonight is enumerated, and the magic and elimination numbers are recomputed in each one with the same conservative math as the standings page. The paths listed are the minimal sets of results that guarantee the outcome no matter how the other games end.