Heat eliminate Knicks to become second No. 8 seed in NBA history to reach conference final

Heat coach Erik Spoelstra walked into the post-game interview room, a cup of a celebratory beverage in his hand, took a seat and began explaining how difficult the journey has been for Heat.

The regular season was a struggle. They needed to survive the play-in. They were three minutes away from going home before the playoffs even started, needing a rally just to earn the right to play top-seeded Milwaukee.

All forgotten. They're in the NBA's final four — getting there as a No. 8 seed.

"It is really frickin' hard to get to the Eastern Conference finals," Spoelstra said.

Maybe for some franchises. Not for Miami. The Heat are headed there for the 10th time overall, the seventh time in the last 13 years and the third time in the past four seasons. They'll play Game 1 at either Boston or Philadelphia on Wednesday; those teams will decide their East semifinal series Sunday.