GAME PREVIEW: Heat head back to Denver looking to force a game 6
Does Miami have another statement win in them for these playoffs?
Game Story:
The Miami Heat are now in a 3-1 series hole, and are coming off two disappointing games in their home area where they lost each by double digits. Now they head to an extremely hostile environment in Denver where they can win their first NBA championship in front of their home fans.
The Nuggets have been playing like the best basketball team in the world, with Nikola Jokic playing as the best player in the world.
The Heat are running out of time and they are also running out of answers to throw at this stacked Nuggets lineup.
Max Strus and Gabe Vincent have both been struggling heavily, so it will definitely be interesting to see if coach Spoelstra makes an adjustment to the usual starting 5.
Duncan Robinson has been absolute balling out, and the team has been playing better with him on the floor. A possible addition to the lineup and moving Strus to the bench could happen.
There needs to be a better effort on both sides of the floor from this Miami Heat team. They need to be the first to get the 50/50 balls and force some turnovers.
It is also important to force the Nuggets to play at Miami’s pace. Denver has been able to get absolutely whatever they want on offense.
Stopping role players for the Nuggets like Aaron Gordon and Bruce Brown will also be critical. It is important to take away the supporting cast for them and force Jokic to beat the Heat on his own, which is what happened in the game 2 win.
Sadly, Miami hasn’t been able to do that or replicate that game plan ever since.
Regardless of tonight’s outcome, this was a magical playoff run for the 8 seed Heat.
A team that wasn’t even supposed to make the playoffs has ran through the Eastern Conference and made the NBA Finals.
Let’s see just how much Miami has left in the tank in another win-or-go-home situation.
Tyler Herro’s status has officially changed for the first time since the first game of the playoffs, as he is upgraded to questionable. His role and minutes is yet to be determined if he indeed makes his return tonight.
Other than Victor Oladipo nobody else is on the report with any injuries.
Tonight’s game will be nationally televised on ABC.
Injury Report:
MIAMI:
Tyler Herro (hand) — QUESTIONABLE
Victor Oladipo (knee) — OUT
DENVER:
Nobody.
Probable Starters (at time of publishing):
MIAMI:
Jimmy Butler
Kevin Love
Bam Adebayo
Max Strus
Gabe Vincent
DENVER:
Michael Porter Jr.
Aaron Gordon
Nikola Jokic
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
Jamal Murray
ODDS (via FanDuel)
Check the odds out at FanDuel!
Broadcast Info:
Tipoff: 8:30 PM EST
TV: ABC
Radio: AM 560 Sports WQAM & The HEAT Radio Network (Jason Jackson)
Spanish Radio: WAQI 710 AM & The HEAT Spanish Radio Network (José Pañeda)
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Well, I’m ready. Chips have been bought, drinks are chilling, and some food to be added. I will sit and watch, cheer, yell at refs with the hope of a positive outcome. Love this team, love the coaching staff, and love the OG Godfather. No team in the NBA has been more consistent over the last four years at giving their fans everything they’ve got, more than anyone expected. May not end the way some want, but as a former player and coach of the most amazing sport on this earth I can appreciate that at the end of every crucial game everyone is totally spent; players, coaches, and fans. What else could you ask for?
I think I might change my sig here to HeatFanAlways; of all the Heat teams I’ve rooted for since their inception, this whole group has truly won me over.
It doesn't look good, ladies and gentlemen. But it looks better than where we were after losing to Atlanta in the play-in. No matter what happens, we overachieved to get here. For that, I'm thankful. We need to hit shots. We need to not turn the ball over. The foul calls are atrocious, but they have been all playoffs. In order for us to win, we have to play like those foul calls don't matter. Anything is possible, but it's looking more unlikely, now. If there's a team that could do it, we are them. Let's go Heat. Give it your all and bring it back home.