Q: Ira, even you said this is about more that beating Atlanta. Of the top four teams in the East, I think the Heat so far have shown the least. — Michael.

A: Considering the Heat, Celtics, Bucks and 76ers largely have taken care of their business to this point, I believe your comparison/concern only carries so much weight. These are the playoffs, where success is counted by getting to four victories in each series, with style points not involved. But with the exception of a single bad fourth quarter for the Heat on Friday night in Game 3, I’m not sure there is much to pick apart with the Heat. Yes, it has been an uneven ride for Tyler Herro, Duncan Robinson, and selected others. But the playoffs also can be about different horses for difference courses, meaning the time for those players might come down the road. For most of the season there were four teams that separated themselves from the pack in the East. That still has been the case. With the Heat at the heart of that group. Unless there is another misstep against the Hawks, there can be few qualms about how this has been going.

Q: When the Nets are eliminated by the Celtics, will the networks still show the playoffs without the Nets, Knicks and Lakers? They may actually have to discuss good basketball teams or maybe they will show LeBron-vs.-Durant highlights until June. — J.R.

A: Actually, when there no longer are New York or Los Angeles teams playing, the NBA playoffs shift to C-SPAN.

Q: Nikola Jokic is about to get bounced in the first round. Still not fair, but at least a little poetic justice. — Mike.

A: I am sure if Markieff Morris had his druthers, he would prefer to have the 58 games he lost to whiplash back, no matter the demise of Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets in these playoffs.

()