Washignton Wizards Manhandle Miami Heat in Season Closer

The Miami Heat closed out the 2011/12 NBA season with a loss, losing 104-70 against the Washington Wizards on April 26. For the Heat, it was their worst defeat of the season, but the result of the game was completely meaningless. Still, it certainly wasn't the way the Heat would have liked to end their season, but I don't think it'll affect their morale entering into the playoffs.

Heat coach Erik Spoelstra wisely decided to rest the "big three," and Miami's role players looked lost without their leaders. They simply played poor basketball against the Wizards, shooting 36 percent from the field.

By the end of the first quarter, the Wizards had built up a ten point lead, and it only got worse as the game progressed. They outscored Miami in every quarter of the game, cruising to the 34 point victory.

"If we land safely and the plane touches down in Miami, it's a victory," Shane Battier told reporters after the embarrassing loss. "That was a nasty game. Luckily no one was injured, seriously, that's what you take away from this game."

The Heat will now get two days rest before starting off the playoffs against the New York Knicks. The Heat dominated the Knicks during the regular season, winning all three encounters between the two teams by at least eight points. They shouldn't have any problems against the Knicks, and I'll be shocked if the series goes over five games.

"This will be a great first-round matchup," Spoelstra told reporters about the Heat's series against the Knicks. "The way the season's been, we couldn't expect anything other than to play after a day. We don't need more than that. We're in the same place the Knicks are in."

Even though the Heat didn't finish with the top spot in the Eastern Conference standings, things couldn't have turned out any better for them. They'll now have a relatively easy path to the conference finals, while the Chicago Bulls and Boston Celtics will most likely collide in the second round.

David is a Miami Heat fan that has followed the team for 16 years. Follow him on twitter @davidkingwriter and check out his blog.
 
Sources:
Associated Press, "Wizards trounce Heat while Big Three watch from bench"