The set-up: The 38-41 Miami Heat's recent stumbles have left the Heat on the outside looking in at the Eastern Conference playoff picture. Miami is 3-5 in its last eight games and in the midst of a challenging four-game stretch to close the season. Part one of its challenging schedule began Friday with a 96-94 loss at Toronto. The Heat are one game behind the Chicago Bulls and Indiana Pacers (both 39-40), as they made a late-night flight last night to Washington. The 48-31 Wizards are a half-game behind Toronto for third place in the East.

Miami: The Heat were only 11-30 after losing by eight to the Milwaukee Bucks back on Jan. 13. but they won their next 13 and are 27-11 since then to get into the playoff mix. It's all a challenge," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. "This is the way we have been for the past two-and-a-half, three months. We have been in our March Madness, we feel like every single game has had the feeling of an elimination game for several straight weeks."

Washington: The Heat's loss in Toronto also impacted the Wizards. Washington is one-half game behind Toronto and while a win would tie Toronto, the Raptors have a noon road game Sunday in New York. Washington has won two in a row won two but is struggling at the defensive end of the court. Nine of tits last 10 opponents have scored at least 100 points. "We have a bigger picture," John Wall told reporters. "We're trying to play for the playoffs and play for something special so we have to do a better job defensively. Defense is a big factor in the playoffs because every possession matters. Offense and all that is not our problem."

The pick: Miami has won the first two meetings this season between the two teams, while averaging 113 points. The Wizards need to step up defensively and I believe they will. Miami plays the second of a back-to-back and scored only 94 points in Toronto on Friday, shooting 39.8 percent. Make the Under a 10* play in this "playoff atmosphere" contest.