via Imago
Miami Heat forward Bam Adebayo (13) and guard Tyler Herro (14) and guard Goran Dragic (7) and guard Duncan Robinson (55) celebrate with teammates after defeating the Boston Celtics in game four of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2020 NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
via Imago
Miami Heat forward Bam Adebayo (13) and guard Tyler Herro (14) and guard Goran Dragic (7) and guard Duncan Robinson (55) celebrate with teammates after defeating the Boston Celtics in game four of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2020 NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Back in October, if anyone had picked the Miami Heat to be in the NBA Finals, let alone the Eastern Conference Finals, they wouldn’t have been taken seriously. But now, they are just one win away from making their first Finals appearance since 2014.
The Heat are now the first team to have a 3-1 lead since the LeBron James led Cleveland Cavaliers did it against the Celtics back in the 2017 Playoffs.
The Heat are the first team to take a 3-1 series lead in the Conference Finals since the Cavaliers against the Celtics in 2017.
Teams to take a 3-1 series lead in this round (Conference/Division Finals) are 50-4 (.926) all-time. pic.twitter.com/h4NtQ2nKHU
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) September 24, 2020
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The Celtics looked dangerous at the start of the playoffs, but the Heat have now put the brakes on their campaign. They have been able to control the Celtics’ scoring and have edged them out in three games now.
From a poor start in the bubble to almost favorites in the Playoffs
The Heat finished the regular season as the fifth seed after an underwhelming bubble. They had just three wins out of eight games and looked out of form. However, once they entered the playoffs, they turned things around.
The Heat thrashed the Pacers and sent them home without a single win. The Bucks didn’t receive any kindness either, as the Heat sent them packing with a 4-1 series win in the Conference Semifinals. They were the underdogs in that round since the Bucks had the MVP and DPOY Giannis Antetokounmpo, but the Heat still came away with a win.
USA Today via Reuters
Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) pressures Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (22) during the second half of game two of the second round of the 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs at The Field House. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Is this the Miami Heat title season?
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The Heat have a lot of cap space for the 2021 Free Agency to attract big free agents like Giannis. Therefore, everyone expected the 2021-22 season to be the title season for the Heat. But they don’t interested in waiting two seasons and have already started marching towards the title.
Jimmy Butler has been an excellent leader for them and is guiding the young and inexperienced unit well. Bam Adebayo, Tyler Herro, and Goran Dragic have been on fire as well and have been consistently performing in the playoffs.
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USA Today via Reuters
Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro (14) celebrates with teammates at the bench after making a three point basket against the Boston Celtics during the first half of game three of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2020 NBA Playoffs at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
The Heat’s success cannot be spoken about without crediting coach Erik Spoelstra, who is proving that he can assemble a title-contending team even without superstars like LeBron and Dwyane Wade. He has built one of the most exciting teams in this season and any neutral fan would love to cheer for them.
