It's finally time for the Heat to put up or shut up against Cavaliers

The Miami Heat are playing their way out of a playoff spot, and if they continue in this direction, Bam Adebayo, much to his chagrin, will indeed have to face another play-in scenario. Adebayo's most recent comments show utter disgust, but mere words of frustration won't save the Heat; winning will.

The Heat face the fourth-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers twice this week, back-to-back. The first game is on Wednesday, and the second is on Friday. You could say the Cavaliers are having their own version of a disappointing season, especially compared to last season. 

The Cavaliers won the East with a 64-18 record, but have dropped significantly this year, going into Wednesday night's game against the Heat, sitting at 44-27. As for the Heat, well, while they're at least above .500 this season, it almost feels worse than last. These next two matchups against the Cavaliers won't make things easier, but they have to show up. 

Heat have to course correct against the Cavaliers

Interestingly, the Heat have already faced the Cavaliers in a back-to-back this season, on November 10th and 12th. The Heat were off to a good start back then and split their two games with the Cavaliers, one a 140-138 overtime thriller win and the other a 130-116 loss, both at home in Miami. 

This time around, both games are in Cleveland, and it will be the final time each team will see the other for the remainder of the season. The Heat are on a five-game losing streak while the Cavaliers are riding a three-game win streak, and the Heat are desperate for a win. 

Coming off a blowout loss to the San Antonio Spurs was painful, but it also marked the first time in a while that Miami had its full complement of players healthy and playing together. Andrew Wiggins and Jaime Jaquez Jr. both returned from injuries, as did Norman Powell, who had missed the game before. 

If the Heat need some good news right about now, it’s that they're full once again, and perhaps that will inject some much-needed life into their system as they go up against the Cavaliers. Miami has zero room for error right now if they want to climb out of the play-in. 

As Tyler Herro perfectly laid out earlier this week, 'it's time to put up or shut up' when looking ahead to the 10 games remaining on Miami's schedule. One game at a time, however, and that first game is tonight against Cleveland. 

The Heat are expected to have their starters remain the same as they were against the Spurs, and their bench in full complement. It's time to snap this dreadful losing streak; it's time for the Heat to take back control.