No, this was not the expectation for the final month of the regular season, the Miami Heat scrambling to deal with the nuances of the NBA’s play-in tournament, the second-chance postseason event for four teams lacking the wherewithal to secure direct playoff entry with a top-six seed.
And, yes, there still is a potential escape hatch that will require help either from the New York Knicks or Brooklyn Nets.
But what has become clear is that nothing could or can be assumed with the Heat this season, including what at least on paper sets up as a week where ground can be gained, with Monday night’s home game against the Utah Jazz, Wednesday night’s home game against a Ja Morant-less Memphis Grizzlies, and then road games next weekend against the Chicago Bulls and Detroit Pistons.
