A: Then I'll keep the faith that they'll find a way back just like they did when they went without a draft pick last June and found a way to replace Luol Deng and Joe Johnson after they left in free agency. And, yet, until Saturday there were those writing to this space about how the Heat still had the chance to finish below Charlotte and Detroit in drawings and improve their lottery position. I agree that the odds still are daunting by having to rely on Chicago or Indiana to lose to inferior competition, and there is no guarantee of being able to stand up to the challenge if the Cavaliers bring their best game on Monday night. But since January, when the Heat have played, they have made those 2 1/2 hours compelling (if not heartbreaking at times, as well). You certainly can make the argument that if the Heat come up short, then they're just another of the 14 teams unable to make a postseason in a league where 16 of 30 do. But has a non-playoff team ever had a season like this? Ever? A 13-game winning streak and contention into the final hours of the season. You could make an argument that the Heat have had a more compelling regular season than several of the teams in the playoffs (from the Hawks to the Clippers to possibly the Bulls and Pacers, or even the Cavaliers).