here is the reason behind the series splits as I know it:
-Heat, as the higher seed, had the option of either having the first two home games, or the last 3.
-The Heat must have opted to bypass the potential of a 3rd home game in an attempt to get off to a good start in the series... with hope being a 5th game wont be necessary
-reason this rule exists is part of AHL cost mitigation due to revenue losses during a pandemic year is, there is a large enough distance requiring a flight between these teams, and therefore, aim is to remove the extra set of flights, so its designed as a 2-3 series... there was no option of having first 3 at home and then last 2 on road, otherwise they likely would have just done that.
Go Heat!
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