The Miami Heat were just one win away from making it to the NBA Finals for the second time in the past four years.
They seemed in complete control of their series against the Boston Celtics, and that’s no longer the case.
Joe Mazzulla’s team has come back from the dead to get the past couple of games, and it doesn’t seem like the Heat have enough left in the tank to finish the job.
That’s why ESPN pundit Stephen A. Smith believes they’re in serious trouble right now, citing that they don’t want to be in a position to have to play Game 7 on the road at the TD Garden.
.@stephenasmith says the Miami Heat are in danger of being the first team in NBA history to blow a 3-0 lead 😳
"You go to South Beach tomorrow night, and you lose that game and you got to come back to face Jayson Tatum in a Game 7 in Boston? Good luck with that." pic.twitter.com/thNA0ncx97
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) May 26, 2023
Smith cited that 149 teams have failed to come back from a 0-3 deficit, adding that this version of the Celtics has a strong chance to make history and become the first team to achieve that seemingly-impossible milestone.
He called out the Heat starting backcourt of Max Strus and Kyle Lowry, which combined for just eight points while Gabe Vincent was out nursing an injured ankle.
Smith knows just how hostile TD Garden could get, especially in a Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals vs. a lifelong rival team like the Heat.
He added that you definitely don’t want to give Jayson Tatum another opportunity at home, and deemed Game 6 as a must-win matchup for Erik Spoelstra’s side.
The Heat are a strong character team that fares well in adversity, but they might not be able to keep their feet on the gas this time.
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