Here’s why it’s important: Miami and Boston are currently tied at 54-24 for the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference behind the Chicago Bulls, who are likely to clinch the top spot tonight in Cleveland. The second seed is vital because it would mean home-court advantage in a likely conference semifinal matchup against Boston for Miami. The Celtics already have clinched the tiebreaker so the Heat have to finish a game ahead in the standings. And Miami and Boston play on Sunday – so if the Heat win tonight and Boston does too (it should at home vs. the Wizards), then Sunday’s game could mean everything. If Miami loses tonight, then the No. 2 seed looks unlikely no matter what happens Sunday.

It would seem the Heat would have little trouble with a Bobcats team playing out the string. But Miami may again be without Dwyane Wade, the league’s third-leading scorer. Wade missed Wednesday’s surprising 90-85 loss to Milwaukee because of a deeply bruised thigh. But Wade did go through a workout Thursday (but not full practice) and is hopeful of going tonight. But it could come down to a game-time decision and Miami will err on the side of caution to ensure Wade is healthy for the postseason.

The Heat are 3-0 vs. Charlotte this season. A victory would mark the Heat’s 11th regular-season sweep of an opponent this season. Charlotte has lost four straight without leading scorer Stephen Jackson, who has been nursing a sore left hamstring. He is expected to sit tonight as well.

The best NBA props on the Web? That’s easy: Bodog!