The Heat, owners of the NBA's worst record more than a month into the season, will essentially move into a tie for the eighth and final playoff seed if reeling Charlotte loses at home tonight against Utah.

The No. 9 Heat (29-33) trails the No. 8 Hornets (30-33) by one-half game and No. 7 Indiana (32-32) by two games.

This is the closest Miami has been to a playoff seed since its 5-23 start. The Heat is 24-10 since, and coach Pat Riley said Wednesday his team can sustain this level of play.

``When we were winning some games [in mid-January], we talked about. . . . whether was this just a run, just a week or 10 days of good basketball. Is it for real?

``We have the best record since the beginning of the year in the Eastern Conference [23-10]. Are we the best team in the Eastern Conference? Since January, we have been. Is it a run? I don't think it's a run anymore. Is it real? It's real. ``This is the level we can play at and win games. In spite of that, our back is still planted firmly against the wall.

``Indiana has got three more wins than we have. We're right there with Charlotte. Toronto is right behind us. [So is] Washington. It's going to be a bloodbath.''

Heat players are following the teams they're competing with. ''I check every ESPN highlight,'' Kendall Gill said.

The Heat, which has 20 games left, has more home games remaining (12) than the four teams competing with Miami for the seventh and eighth seeds.

But that isn't necessarily a plus, considering the Heat is 13-16 at home, 16-17 on the road.

Based on quality of opponents, the Heat's schedule is more difficult than Indiana's, Charlotte's and Toronto's. Miami must play at San Antonio and home against the Lakers.

Also, Miami has no more games against doormats Cleveland and Chicago, although that might be a good thing because they have combined for four of the Heat's 20 losses (in 34 games) to teams with losing records.

Although the Heat has finished its season series against Washington, Miami has two games remaining (one home, one road) against Indiana and Charlotte, and one at Toronto.