NBA: 2022-23 Eastern Conference pre-season playoff projections

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Miami Heat Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo (Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports) /

6. Miami Heat

As much as I want to believe that the Miami Heat will be able to overcome their slow offseason, I simply can’t see it. Not right now, at least. Maybe Victor Oladipo looks like his old self, Tyler Herro makes another jump in his game, and Bam Adebayo does the same; I’m just not willing to bet on all that happening.

But there’s no question that after falling just one game short of the NBA Finals that this will be considered a disappointing season for the Heat. That will absolutely be the case. And knowing the way Pat Riley operates, it could open the door for some big changes.

In fact, if the Heat does finish the season with a first-round playoff exit (or worse), the expectation will be that there will be some big changes that come the Heat’s way during the offseason. I just don’t see any other way around it.