The first chore for the Miami Heat is done: They're in the playoffs.
That's no surprise.
Snapping a five-game slide by beating the NBA's hottest team to get there, well, that might not have been what everyone saw coming.
Chris Bosh scored 24 points, Dwyane Wade added 20 and the Miami Heat snapped a five-game losing streak by beating the two-time defending NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers 94-88 on Thursday night, clinching a playoff spot.
LeBron James finished with 19 points, nine assists and eight rebounds for the Heat, who have never secured a postseason bid faster in their history. Mike Miller scored 12 for Miami.
Kobe Bryant scored 24 points for the Lakers, whose eight-game winning streak was snapped. Pau Gasol added 20 and Andrew Bynum finished with 13 points and 12 rebounds for Los Angeles, which went 0-2 against Miami this season.