There’s plenty to take from the Heat’s ho-hum home win against the Toronto Raptors, including the fact LeBron James very much wants the MVP, and that the Miami Heat’s bench isn’t as bad as it has played of late (Mike Miller had 13 points, six assists).

But the most critical element was the win itself. The Heat remain within two games in the loss column of the top-seeded Chicago Bulls, with a meeting left between the teams Thursday.

Neither wants to face Carmelo Anthony and the New York Knicks in the first round. Anthony just put up 21 points in the first quarter against the New Jersey Nets on his way to 33, and he’s only picking up steam.

A nice and easy first round against the flailing Sixers would be the preferred route for both East powerhouses.

Might that be enough incentive to get Derrick Rose in the lineup Thursday?

via Israel Gutierrez of ESPN