The set-up: The Miami Heat are on the verge of clinching a spot in the Eastern Conference playoffs but they are still battling for seeding positioning as the regular season winds down. The 41-35 Heat are 5 1/2 game inside of the playoff cut line with seven games to go (almost a lock) but are in a three-way battle with the 41-34 Wizards and the 41-35 Bucks for seeds six through eight. Miami has beaten Cleveland and Chicago in the first two of a four-game homestand with the team's schedule lining up nicely. The Heat began a stretch of five consecutive games against opponents well out of the playoff race with Thursday's win over the Bulls. That stretch continues with tonight's game against teh Nets, two straight against Eastern Conference-worst Atlanta and a visit to the New York Knicks. The 24-51 Nets snapped a three-game slide with a 111-104 win over the Orlando Magic on Wednesday but haven't beaten a team with a current winning record since Jan. 31.

Brooklyn: The Nets do not own their first-round draft pick, so there is no reason to 'tank' in an effort for a more favorable lottery position. "(General manager) Sean Marks talked to us after the All-Star break and (head coach) Kenny (Atkinson) repeats it to us all the time," Nets guard Joe Harris told Newsday. "We're about trying to finish this season the right way. We're trying to compete and set ourselves up the right way with good momentum going into next season." The Nets started D'Angelo Russell at point guard, Allen Crabbe, DeMarre Carroll and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson on the wings and Jarrett Allen in the post in Wednesday's win. Brooklyn's bench, currently led by Dante Cunningham, Caris LeVert, Spencer Dinwiddie and Joe Harris, has been outstanding all season. They are averaging 43.7 PPG, which ranks second in the NBA. The Nets had seven players in double figures in the win over Orlando, led by Russell and LeVert with 16 points apiece. The reserves combined for 39 points.

Miami: The Heat Miami got center Hassan Whiteside (14.1 & 11.7) back from a nine-game absence on Thursday due to a hip injury and he scored eight points on 3-of-8 shooting in 19 minutes. Backup center Bam Adebayo (7.0 & 5.5) returned from a one-game absence due to an ankle injury and added three points off the bench. However, Heat starting shooting guard Tyler Johnson (11.9) sprained his right ankle in the first half. He finished with six points in 12 minutes and there was no immediate word on his availability for Saturday. If Johnson can't go, the Heat can turn to several other options at shooting guard, including Wayne Ellington (11.3) and Dwyane Wade (12.8). In addition, small forward Josh Richardson (13.0) could slide to the guard spot.

The pick: The Nets had dropped 13 of their previous 14 games to the Heat but have turned this series around with upsets in the most recent two meetings. Despite Brooklyn's sorry 24-51 record this season, the Nets enter this contest as a phenomenal play as a road dog this season, covering 23 of 34 chances. Expect another close game but even more, I like the Under as 10* play.