The Miami Heat sealed a trip to the play‑in tournament with a 121‑95 drubbing by the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday night. The loss locked Miami into a No. 10 seed, eliminating any chance of finishing in the Eastern Conference’s top six. Coach Erik Spoelstra lamented a 0‑3 record against Toronto this season. The loss also dropped Miami three games behind the play‑in line.

Captain Bam Adebayo had warned the club weeks earlier that “we’re better than being in the play‑in,” yet the defeat made that sentiment moot. Miami now joins a short list of clubs that have reached the play‑in in four different seasons, tying the league‑wide record. Only Atlanta has matched the feat so far, and Golden State is set to equal it this week, marking a fourth consecutive year.

Historically, the Heat have used the play‑in as a springboard, winning two road games to claim the No. 8 seed last season and repeating the feat in 2023 en route to an unlikely Finals run. Spoelstra stressed the team must elevate its effort now, but the club’s track record suggests it can still claw its way into the postseason.