Bam Adebayo Says Heat Have to Avoid NBA Play-In Bracket, 'Don't Wanna Be In This S--t'

Even though the Miami Heat have been arguably the most successful play-in tournament team since the NBA adopted the format, Bam Adebayo doesn't want to go through that situation for a fourth consecutive year.

Speaking to reporters after Miami's 124-117 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers, Adebayo explained that he doesn't "wanna be in the s--t" anymore when discussing of being in the play-in tournament yet again.

The Heat are currently eighth in the Eastern Conference standings with a 31-29 record. The highest they have been was tied for No. 3 when they opened the season 3-1.

Miami has been outside the top six, which would ensure an automatic playoff berth, every day since Jan. 10. Head coach Erik Spoelstra's team has missed some opportunities recently to improve its standings.

For instance, since Feb. 9, the Heat have losses to the Utah Jazz and Milwaukee Bucks. Injuries have contributed to some of their struggles. Norm Powell sat out the Jazz game, the second night of a back-to-back, due to a back injury.

Tyler Herro has only played 15 games this season due to various ailments.

One big element of frustration is the Heat have some pieces to suggest they should be better than their record. They rank sixth in the league in defensive rating and have a better net rating (plus-2.4) than the three teams directly ahead of them in the East standings (Toronto Raptors, Sixers, Orlando Magic).

But a lack of consistency has left the Heat once again in position where they might have to go through the play-in tournament to make the playoff field. They have advanced out of the play-in tournament in each of the past three seasons, including their run in 2023 that saw them reach the NBA Finals as the No. 8 seed.

The Heat are currently three games behind the Sixers in the loss column for the sixth spot in the standings. Their upcoming schedule has some tough matchups against the Houston Rockets (Feb. 28), Charlotte Hornets (March 6) and Detroit Pistons (March 8), but mixed in are winnable games against the Brooklyn Nets (March 3 and 5), Washington Wizards (March 10) and Bucks (March 12).

If the Heat can't take advantage of those favorable games, they will once again find themselves fighting for the No. 7 or 8 seed in April.