Q: Hello, Ira. Should Heat fans be praying that Atlanta and not the Bulls nor the Raptors capture the No. 7 seed? – Carlos, West Park.

A: There always is a be-careful-what you-wish-for reality with such opponent shopping. And beyond that, the only control the Heat have in the process is where they finish, already done with their season series against the Hawks, Raptors and Bulls. All of that said, I can appreciate your concern, with the Heat having gone 1-3 against the Raptors and 0-3 against the Bulls. Yet, while the Heat went 3-1 against the Hawks, there always is the possibility of Trae Young single handedly sparking a win. The bottom line is that unless the Heat secure a No. 7 or No. 8 play-in seed, they will have to face at least two of those teams to advance.

Q: Well, well, Ira, if the Heat are in the play-in, they would wind up against the Celtics or Bucks. That could be humiliating. – Andy.

A: And that certainly is a possibility, something resembling the Heat’s 4-0 opening-round sweep at the hands of Milwaukee in the 2021 first round. Such is the cost of fooling around and faltering against so many lottery opponents along the way. It would be difficult to make a case for the Heat, particularly as the road team, getting past either of the top seeds in the East.

Q: Should Bam Adebayo play if not 100 percent? Aren’t the playoff games more important? – Gerard.

A: There are two ways to look at it. You are correct that there is nothing more important than having the Heat healthy and whole for the play-in round that starts next Tuesday. So one approach would be sitting Bam Adebayo now so he will return to 100% health with his hip. The other argument is that the sooner the Heat lock in No. 7, the sooner they can rest the entire rotation. Still, should the Heat truly need Bam to beat Detroit?

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