With the win tonight over the Milwaukee Bucks the Heat improve to 39-34 on the season. It is a critical win for the Heat as they also put some distance between themselves and the Philadelphia 76ers – expanding their lead for the 5th spot to 1.5 games.

This is also critical as the Heat are scrapping to win games with only 9 left in the season. The Bulls are hot, the Pistons are not, and the Sixers are hanging tough despite losing Elton Brand for the remainder of the season.

The Heat want to get at least a 5th spot so that they can avoid a possible first round matchup with the Orlando Magic or Boston Celtics – neither team would be a good matchup for the Heat out of the gate. Then again, a series against the Hawks could swing either way, too.