The Miami Heat play the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday night and the team is still in first place in the east over the Pacers, making this matchup even more important for LeBron James and company and the game starts up on ESPN and the WatchESPN website at 8 pm ET and will be streaming live from FedExForum.
The Heat are looking to snatch away the first seed in the east from the Pacers and after Indiana held it for most of the season, Miami is back in position at number one and they come into the game after a tough matchup with the Brooklyn Nets. The team lost to the Nets for the fourth time this season and now that is the first time that a Heat team under James has been swept in a four game series. The Pacers are sitting their starters against the Bucks and this game gives the Heat another chance to keep things going and this could be huge if they can get another lead on the Pacers with just a few games remaining.
The main reason the Pacers are resting their stars is because they are slumping and on top of that, the Pacers and the Heat play on Friday in Miami and the way things have been going, that will be one of the most anticipated matchups of the season. The team comes in averaging over 102 points per game and James is coming off of a very good game with 29 points, 10 rebounds and six assists to lead the Heat, but it wasn't good enough to get past the Nets. The team is ranked fifth in defense this season and 10th in assists per game and they are looking strong heading into the playoffs.
Miami is ready to go for their third straight title and the Indiana Pacers appear to be the only team standing in their way, but the way that the Pacers are playing, they will be no match for Miami comer the postseason. The Pacers are falling apart at the wrong time and while the playoffs may change things, they are sniping at each other and slumping right when they need to be doing the exact opposite and Miami may take advantage.
Memphis comes into the game after a loss to the Spurs and they next play against the Sixers. The team is third in the league in defense and they are 27th in scoring and to upset the Heat they will need to play a solid game on both sides of the court.
Check here for the Miami Heat and Memphis Live coverage from ESPN.