NBA: Predicting how the 2017-18 season will play out

DALLAS, TX - JANUARY 24: James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets reacts after scoring against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center on January 24, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
DALLAS, TX - JANUARY 24: James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets reacts after scoring against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center on January 24, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
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MIAMI, FL – FEBRUARY 09: Dwyane Wade #3 of the Miami Heat looks on during the first half of the game against the Milwaukee Bucks at American Airlines Arena on February 9, 2018 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Rob Foldy/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL – FEBRUARY 09: Dwyane Wade #3 of the Miami Heat looks on during the first half of the game against the Milwaukee Bucks at American Airlines Arena on February 9, 2018 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Rob Foldy/Getty Images)

The Miami Heat will miss the playoffs, again

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I can’t help but look at the way the Miami Heat have played over the last few weeks and think playoffs. The Heat have had their ups and downs this season, but haven’t looked like a playoff team for quite some while.

Their offense appears broken and while their defense is still stingy on a nightly basis, a team without a star can’t afford to get by without an above average offense.

Dwyane Wade is back, but is not going to save this team by any means. Could the Heat sneak into the playoffs? Absolutely. They actually have the fourth easiest schedule in the NBA moving forward.

However, this doesn’t look like a playoff team.