The Miami Heat have won eight of their last 11 games as the playoffs get closer and they look primed for a run in the Eastern Conference playoffs. With just two regular season games left on the schedule the Heat aren't sure who they will take on in the first round but they are starting to prepare for that series.
In Miami's win over the Magic on Sunday Hassan Whiteside started for the first time in 30 games. Head coach Erik Spoelstra had been bringing Whiteside off the bench since the end of January and it hadn't effected his production, but with the playoffs right around the corner Spoelstra decided to move him back to the starting lineup.
It is unclear if Whiteside being in the starting lineup is a permanent move but it does seem like a possibility. Spoelstra was asked after the game why he decided to start Whiteside on Sunday and he answered by saying the team needs a "higher level" from the starting center. As mentioned previously, Whiteside has been producing all season whether he has been starting or coming off the bench, but Spoelstra says he wants to see Whiteside keep his motor running throughout the game and feels having him start will help that.
On the season the 26-year-old center is averaging 14.2 points, 11.9 rebounds and 3.7 blocks per game. Recently Whiteside has posted five consecutive double-doubles but despite the gaudy numbers he is still relatively inexperienced in the NBA. This is a guy that couldn't even find a job in the NBA as recently as last year so there is still a learning curve with him and he knows it.
The Heat are a trendy pick to make a deep run in the playoffs but a lot of that optimism has been with the hope that Chris Bosh would return. With no Bosh return in sight, Whiteside's consistency will be a huge key to how much success the Heat can have in the postseason.
These playoffs are also important for Whiteside on a personal level as he is set to enter free agency. There are already plenty of people, including members of the Heat organization, that feel Whiteside has earned a max contract with his play this season, but showing he can perform in the playoffs can ensure that will happen.
