To cap an up-and-down week, the Heat host the Toronto Raptors in an appetizer to the Superbowl on Sunday. A win for the Heat would tie their best 24-game start in franchise history, but they've struggled to put away losing teams before.

Is the "Big Five" lineup (Big Three plus Mike Miller and Udonis Haslem) that killed the Sixers in the fourth quarter the Heat's top lineup? Is Toronto closer to a playoff spot than the other team that lost a superstar to the Heat? Did Carmelo Anthony undeservedly get an All-Star starting gig over Chris Bosh ?

In another installment of Heat Index's 3-on-3 series, our writers give their takes on the story lines before the Heat (17-6) take on the (8-16) Raptors at home.

1. Fact or Fiction: The Heat's "Big Five" lineup is their best lineup.

Tom Haberstroh: Fact. It was odd that we hadn't seen it before Friday's game, but I guess it's because of Dwyane Wade's injury. That five-man unit was a revelation and a life saver for the Heat in the playoffs. The Heat outscored opponents 69 to 51 in what amounts to about three quarters of basketball. After Friday's game, the deficit is now 84 to 51 in just 41 minutes of play. The unorthodox lineup wields the dynamic athleticism that, evidently, can lock down the game on both ends.

Michael Wallace: Fiction. While there is plenty to be said for the closing lineup of LeBron, Wade, Bosh, Mike Miller and Udonis Haslem, I think the Heat are at their absolute best when they go with a bit more defense on the court. I'm not convinced that Bosh or Haslem can stop an opposing post player who is committed to forcing the action down low. Mix in either Joel Anthony or Shane Battier to go defense/offense with Haslem and Miller and all is set.

Brian Windhorst: Fiction for now. Not to sound like a statistician but there isn't enough data to say either way. Yes, it looked very good against the 76ers. But that is not a great outside shooting lineup. There have been times this season where the Heat have really gotten into trouble with only one reliable long-range shooter on the floor. If the ball moves and LeBron and Wade work off the ball as well as they did in Philly, then you might have something. Otherwise, I think the play is to go to zone and see how the Heat deal with it. It hadn't happened all season and the Sixers weren't ready. The Raptors will have the tape and the Magic scout was sitting in the front row.

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2. Fact or Fiction: Toronto is closer to a playoff return than Cleveland.

Haberstroh: Fact. It's close but I love what defensive-guru Dwane Casey has done with his personnel. It was considered a scientific fact that an Andrea Bargnani-led defense couldn't rank above the bottom-third of the league, but Casey has managed to do the impossible. Toss in center-stud-in-the-making Jonas Valanciunas next season and the Raptors should pencil in a spot in the playoffs next season.

Wallace: Fiction. Cleveland might actually make the playoffs this season as the Cavaliers claw their way into position for the eighth seed. Toronto has some nice pieces, but it's hard to get a handle on the direction that team is going. Are they young and rebuilding around some of their young bigs along with DeMar DeRozan? Or are they trying to now? Cleveland has some key veterans who can help the team speed up their rebuilding job around rookie Kyrie Irving, and they can be solid defensively.

Windhorst: Fiction. I don't think either are making it this year and the Cavs have a better younger core than the Raptors do at the moment. However, because this is a next year question as I see it, we won't know until we see what Jonas Valanciunas (Raptors 7-foot '11 draft pick) looks like when he gets to the league.

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3. Fact or Fiction: Chris Bosh deserves to start All-Star over Carmelo.

Haberstroh: Fact. Carmelo was voted on reputation not reality. You know those roller coaster signs with height requirements? We should have one for All-Star weekend: "You must shoot at least 40 percent from the floor in order to start in an All-Star game." Carmelo wouldn't make the cut.

Wallace: Fiction. Carmelo Anthony was voted a starter by fans. That means he deserves to be there. That's enough for me. Bosh will get the nod from the coaches later this week. But the starters are clearly decided by fan votes. Carmelo is a superstar. Bosh is having a really strong season and will be rewarded in due time.

Windhorst: Fact. This is a rather easy one. Bosh has been the East's best power forward so far this season. It is the fans' prerogative to vote in two small forwards and they have. Bosh and Melo don't play the same position so it isn't fair to compare them really. But obviously this has not been Melo's best start for a variety of reasons.