The heat is still on in Miami

Coach Erik Spoelstra’s boys started strong last Monday starring Jimmy Butler, to score a win over an out of synch LA Lakers.  Social media was then flooded with instant analysts and experts with special emphasis on spewing dislike to LeBron James.  Love him or hate him, he still gets his millions and, if they win the title, the bonuses.  Move on, people!

Miami shoots for a win this morning to tie the series and I have a strange feeling that Bam Adebayo will be playing.  Three Heat players had stepped up – Kelly Olynyk (3-game averages of 15 points and 7 rebounds), the team’s biggest cheerleader Meyers Leonard (2-game averages of 7 points in 11 minutes) and Kendrick Nunn, playing in lieu of Goran Dragic (11.7 points).

So far, only four teams in the league’s history had ever come back from a 0-2 Finals series deficit and win the title.   Miami could be the fifth team if things go their way.

Boston Celtics vs Los Angeles Lakers, 1969

This was the last championship of Bill Russell’s 11 titles with Boston in a 13-year span (1956 to 1969).  Considered as one of the best title runs in basketball history, the fourth seeded Celtics overcame a 0-2 deficit and defeated the Lakers in seven games, improving their Finals record over LA to 7-0.

Portland Trailblazers vs Philadelphia 76ers, 1977

Led by Finals MVP Bill Walton, Portland won their only franchise championship over Philadelphia 76ers. The Blazers won the next four games after losing the first two games to Julius Irving and the Sixers.

Miami Heat vs Dallas Mavericks, 2006

This was the Heat’s first title in franchise history and they came back to win the next four games after being defeated by the Dallas Mavericks by a combined 24 points in the first two games.  Dwayne Wade was the Finals MVP averaging more than 39 points a game with a 50% conversion from the field and attempting at least 18 free throws a game.

Cleveland Cavaliers vs Golden State Warriors, 2016

This starred LBJ who made league history by leading both teams in a Finals series in all individual statistical categories (points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks).  What made it even more memorable was that Cleveland did it over the NBA record 73-win GSW.  Not only did the Cavs win their first title down by 0-2 but they also trailed 1-3 prior to Game 5.

Take note that both the Lakers and the Heat figured in the above-mentioned facts. The Lakers had been careless with the ball the last game and they complain too much if they think they got fouled, compromising their defense.  In contrast, we don’t see Butler complain or do some theatrics when bumped. 

There won’t be any walking out of the court with 10 seconds remaining in the game left this time and an off-key Anthony Davis should have his Finals mode on because if they don’t, the Lakers will be in trouble as the heat is still on in Miami, with Jimmy Butler’s on fire.