LeBron James and the Heat escape from Boston with yet another win.
With their place in the play-offs already clinched along with the number one seeding in the Eastern Conference all-but secured, there isn’t much left for the Miami Heat to achieve in the regular season.
The only thing that is potentially driving them on in a season in which they have dominated all before them, is the NBA record for the longest winning streak.
Following their 105-103 win over the Boston Celtics on Monday night, the Heat moved to 23 consecutive wins in a game in which many had predicted they would come unstuck.
However, their latest win means that they are now just 10 games shy of the all-time record held by the Los Angeles Lakers and with a favourable schedule ahead the odds of them surpassing it are getting shorter by the game.
Miami end their five-game road trip in Cleveland on Wednesday night, before returning home to welcome the Detroit Pistons at the AA Arena on Friday.
Despite a predictably hostile reception on Wednesday, the Cavaliers have the third worst record in the East and will have to produce an almost perfect performance in order to stop the Heat, potentially without the injured Kyrie Irving.
Register another win there and Miami move on to the Pistons, currently on a nine-game losing streak. It doesn’t get much more difficult from there onwards either, as Erik Spoelstra’s men then take on the bottom two teams in the East on consecutive nights.
The Charlotte Bobcats head to Miami first, before a trip to Orlando to face the Magic. Then comes an important test against the injury-hit Chicago Bulls who have caused the Heat problems in the past and could provide an upset.
The New Orleans Hornets await a potential 28-game winning Miami Heat streak, and then perhaps the biggest test of all will face LeBron and friends.
The West Conference leading San Antonio Spurs host the Heat on March 31, and will undoubtedly pose the biggest threat to beating the record. Tony Parker will remain a doubt, but considering the success they have still enjoyed without him it could be a defining game for both.
Miami then take on the New York Knicks against whom they have lost to earlier this season, before the Bobcats and the Philadelphia 76ers stand in the way of tying the record.
History could then be made on April 9 when Miami take on the Milwaukee Bucks hoping to move past the Lakers record.
Considering their current dominant streak and the schedule ahead, can the Miami Heat break the record?
Here are their remaining games so you can judge for yourself.
Miami Heat Schedule:
March 20: Cleveland Cavaliers
March 22: Detroit Pistons
March 24: Charlotte Bobcats
March 25: Orlando Magic
March 27: Chicago Bulls
March 29: New Orleans Hornets
March 31: San Antonio Spurs
April 2: New York Knicks
April 5: Charlotte Bobcats
April 6: Philadelphia 76ers
April 9: Milwaukee Bucks
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