Europe 1 with AFP / Photo credit: MADDIE MEYER / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / GETTY IMAGES VIA AFP 06:38 am, May 30, 2023

The Heat will return, three years later, to the NBA finals, the seventh in its history, where the Nuggets await it, after winning in Boston (103-84), thanks to Caleb Martin and Jimmy Butler, in the seventh decisive game of their series, Thursday.

Finally too strong, Miami qualified for the seventh NBA finals in its history, where Denver awaits it, after shattering the dream of an unprecedented comeback of Boston by winning (103-84), thanks to Caleb Martin and Jimmy Butler, in the seventh game, Thursday.

On the verge of a fourth title

The Heat is not only on the verge of a fourth title, after those won in 2006, 2012 and 2013 (failures in 2011, 2014 and 2020), but can achieve what no team has ever managed before: to be crowned champion by being seeded No. 8, moreover, after having to go through play-offs to reach the playoffs.

In 1999, the New York Knicks, also eighth in the East, had already managed to reach the finals, but then fell to the San Antonio Spurs, crowned.

No doubt the Heat dreams of another scenario, carried by the energy of warriors who are given losers and who finally topple mountains. After Giannis Antetokounmpo's Bucks, the Knicks and the Celtics, who had blocked their way last season at the same stage, they will play at even higher altitude against the Nuggets, literally - Denver peaks at 1,500 m - as figuratively, with Nikola Jokic and his gang who unceremoniously dismissed the Lakers of LeBron James (4-0) in the West.

"We stayed together"

The return of the Floridians, four years later, on the last step of the championship, while few would have bet a dime (ten cents of dollar) on this assumption, during a very complicated season, bears the seal of coach Erik Spoelstra, who has kept alive the culture of the Heat, mixing discipline, work ethic and endless self-sacrifice. "Sometimes You have to suffer to get what you really want," he said. "This group has shown strength of character when there have been inevitable failures and disappointments, but they have had that perseverance to get back up, that collective spirit to keep moving forward."

It took all these ingredients and a good dose of basketball found, not to crack under the pressure of the Celtics up like clocks, after being reduced the gap from 3-0 to 3-3 in this conference final.

In the eyes of many, Boston seemed destined to become the first team in history to achieve the feat of reversing such a highly compromised situation. But for the 151st time in play-off history the miracle did not happen.

Tatum on one leg

First because it had already happened 48 hours earlier, when Derrick White, had managed his improbable tap two hundredths of the buzzer to snatch the victory (104-103). Then because Jayson Tatum, driving force of the C's, severely twisted his left ankle in his first action and he had to deal with pain throughout the game, having to settle for 14 points (on 5/13, 11 rbds).

In fact, Boston came up against an extremely tough defense of the Floridians, including 15 ball losses and shooting at only 39% success, without any player can really take over on offense, even if Jaylen Brown (19 pts) did not deserve.

Derrick White, however, thought he was still playing the saviors in the third quarter by managing 13 of his 18 points, to bring his own to six units. But the Heat never wavered in this controlled game from start to finish, showing a big mind and a fierce fight to live up to their reputation.

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Embodying this state of mind, Jimmy Butler, admittedly not always successful, constantly led the charge to finish with 28 points (12/28, 7 rbds, 6 assists, 3 steals). Caleb Martin, substitute propelled starter - formidable shot managed by Spoelstra by way of adjustment - was a second lethal weapon in attack, author of 26 points (at 11/16, 10 rbds).

And as is often the case, when it comes close, it comes in from afar, the Floridians planting 50% of their award-winning banners (14/28), when the Celtics missed the target (9/42). The perfect shot. "We're excited, but we still have four wins to win" to hang up a championship ring, said Butler, not content to be named MVP of the playoffs in the East.