The Miami Heat are in the NBA Play-In game for the fourth consecutive year after a 43-39 season. Fans are divided on whether to support a playoff run or aim for a top draft pick in the talent-rich 2026 NBA Draft.
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The Miami Heat find themselves in the NBA Play-In game for a fourth consecutive season after finishing the year 43-39 and ending the regular season on a 5-10 run. They now matchup against the Charlotte Hornets as the tenth seed with a chance to jump up to the eighth seed should they finish the Play-In strong.
However, there have been plenty of mixed emotions from the Heat fanbase on whether or not they want the team to make or miss the NBA Playoffs. That comes as the 2026 NBA Draft is loaded with talent all throughout the first round.
As statistics sit right now, Miami has a better chance at obtaining a top-4 NBA Draft pick at 4.8% or even the number one overall pick at 1% than they do of making it to, or winning the NBA Finals, which are both set at less than 1% on different prediction markets.
The 2026 NBA Draft class has been argued to be one of the best since the 2003 class that featured LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh. Within the top-4 picks alone in the 2026 class, Aj Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, Cameron Boozer, and Caleb Wilson have all been eyed as franchise-shifting players for years to come.
Even if Miami misses out on a top-4 pick, they still have a shot at players such as Darius Acuff Jr., Keaton Wagler, Mikel Brown Jr., Kingston Flemings, and reigning National Champion, Yaxel Lendeborg. All of who scouts believe have high upside.
Heat fans are also more open to losing the Play-In game against Charlotte following what they believe is a āmissā on Cooper Flagg in the 2025 NBA Draft.
Last year, Miami finished as the 10-seed in the East and ended up becoming the first 10-seed in NBA history to win two straight road games and advance to the playoffs, where they were ultimately swept by the Cleveland Cavaliers.
If Miami had lost its first Play-In game, they would have ended up with the 11th-shortest lottery odds to obtain the number one pick in last yearās draft. After the lottery unveiled itself, the Dallas Mavericks, who ended up with the 11th shortest odds, did the unthinkable and were rewarded with the top pick, to which they eventually drafted Flagg.
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Fast track to the present day, Flagg is making a strong case for the NBAās Rookie of the Year, having averaged 21 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 4.5 assists, and the Miami Heat find themselves in the same situation as last year.
The Heat and Hornets tip off on Tuesday night at 7:30 p.m. EST on Prime Video, with the winner moving on to face the loser of the Orlando Magic/Philadelphia 76ers Play-In matchup.
The Miami Heat are the tenth seed in the NBA Play-In tournament.
The Heat have less than a 1% chance of making it to or winning the NBA Finals, according to prediction markets.
Fans are torn between wanting the team to succeed in the playoffs and the potential benefits of securing a top pick in the highly regarded 2026 NBA Draft.
Top prospects include Aj Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, Cameron Boozer, and Caleb Wilson, all seen as potential franchise players.
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