The Brooklyn Nets are sitting in the No. 8 spot in the Eastern Conference. If the current 7-8 matchup were to hold, the Nets would travel to Toronto to play the Raptors in the play-in tournament, with the winner getting the No. 7 seed in the playoffs. The loser would then face the winner of the 9-10 matchup for the No. 8 seed. Kyrie Irving wouldn't be able to play in a road game in Toronto, so losing to the Raptors would certainly be in the cards. If the Nets wound up getting the eighth seed, there's a decent chance they'd wind up playing the Miami Heat, who have a three-game lead for the No. 1 seed in the East.

While one would think the Heat would want no part of playing Brooklyn in the first round, Shaquille O'Neal thinks they would welcome the challenge with open arms:

*Watch NBA games LIVE with fuboTV (click for free trial)*

Article Continues Below

Fellow former Heat star Dwyane Wade tried to say they don't “want” to face the Nets in the first round but would say “bring 'em on” if it happens, but Shaq was adamant that “they want all that smoke.”

Miami isn't going to back down from anybody, but it certainly wouldn't be ideal to earn a No. 1 seed after a tough season and then have the pleasure of playing Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and Ben Simmons in the first round, even if Irving is still a part-time player and Simmons isn't quite himself after missing most of the season.

The Nets finally looked dominant again in their 132-121 victory over the Charlotte Hornets on Tuesday night, with Irving going for a historic 50 points on 15-of-19 shooting. It was a reminder of just how dangerous this Nets team still is, even amid a disappointing season and a 33-33 record. They're still waiting on Simmons to make his debut, and the stars are hoping to at least get in a few weeks of games together before the postseason rolls around.

Meanwhile, the Heat will do their best to secure the top seed and home-court advantage in the East, no matter the possible playoff matchup.

More Miami Heat News
Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard (0) drives to the basket against Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro (14) during the fourth quarter at Kaseya Center.
Heat rumors: Miami interested in Damian Lillard, Bradley Beal on buyout marketPaolo Mariano ·
Michigan Wolverines center Vladislav Goldin (50) drives the lane against Rutgers Scarlet Knights defense during the first half of the NCAA basketball game at Crisler Arena in Ann Arbor, Mich., Thursday, February 27 2025.
Two-way signee’s ‘dream’ admission on joining the HeatZachary Weinberger ·
heat, heat free agency, jonathan kuminga
The move Miami Heat still must make in 2025 NBA free agencyGarrett Kerman ·
Heat forward Andrew Wiggins (22) shoots the basketball against the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first quarter during game four for the first round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Kaseya Center with the Lakers logo in the background
NBA rumors: Lakers insider confirms what Heat want in Andrew Wiggins tradeJosue Pavon ·
Golden State Warriors guard Gary Payton II (0) and forward Jonathan Kuminga (00) defend against Sacramento Kings forward DeMar DeRozan (10) during a free throw attempt in the second quarter at Golden 1 Center.
NBA rumors: Heat linked to Jazz star amid Jonathan Kuminga, DeMar DeRozan buzzJulian Ojeda ·
Miami Heat forward Duncan Robinson (55) dribbles defended by Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren (0) in the first half at Little Caesars Arena.
Pistons agree to $48 million Duncan Robinson sign-and-trade with HeatTomer Azarly ·