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A whole host of first-round match-ups remain possible, despite Cleveland running away with the top seed and the Hawks and Heat solidifying in the fourth and fifth slots respectively. For instance, Philadelphia is breathing down Miami's neck for No. 5 -- just 1-1/2 games back with an easier schedule remaining.
Should the Sixers catch Miami ... it's possible Boston would await. Gulp and double gulp. No slight to screeching Atlanta, but a lot of land separates the Celtics and Hawks. So every win counts for the Heat. And while Boston reels under injury duress, you might as well knock the Celtics off.
Mikki Moore might be forced to start due to injuries. Shudder.
Philadelphia at Phoenix, 10 PM ETThe 76ers, blasting off from a killer win in L.A. and four straight overall, really want to catch Miami. Phoenix's hopes of regrasping the West's eighth seed went from meek to bleak last week; a two-game win streak over the likes of Oklahoma City and Golden State wouldn't right the Lusitania. But with all that talent, the Suns can win any ol' night. They just need the shots to fall.
Orlando at Milwaukee, 8 PM ETThank goodness Stan Van Gundy prepares his team on gameday like few other coaches. The spector of dropping a game in hungry Milwaukee after blowing a late lead in Cleveland screams from every denegrate's receiver like a hydrogen gambling bomb. Orlando has been better on the road than Milwaukee has been at home, but rest matters. Dwight Howard should feast, if he can hang on to the ball.
Portland at Indiana, 7 PM ETSacramento at Charlotte, 7 PM ET
New Jersey at New York, 7:30 PM ET
Denver at Memphis, 8 PM ET
Minnesota at New Orleans, 8 PM ET
Chicago at Oklahoma City, 8 PM ET
Detroit at Houston, 9:30 PM ET
Washington at L.A. Clippers, 10:30 PM ET
Wednesday's NBA Guide: Heat-Celtics, 76ers-Suns and More originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Wed, 18 Mar 2009 16:15:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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