After their 4-3 win over the Boston Celtics, the Miami Heat have the most NBA Finals appearances since 2006.
The Game 7 win also made the second time in the last four seasons that they made the Finals. They now face off against the Denver Nuggets, who swept the Los Angeles Lakers 4-0 in the Western Conference Finals. On that more, here’s a look at the five teams that have made the most Finals Appearances since 2006:
1. Miami Heat – 7 NBA Finals (3 championships)
2. Golden State Warriors – 6 (4 championships)
3. Los Angeles Lakers – 5 NBA Finals (3 championships)
4. Cleveland Cavaliers – 4 (1 championship)
5. Boston Celtics – 3 (1 championship)
In their seven Finals appearances, the Heat have won three championships, with two of them coming during the LeBron James-Dwyane Wade-Chris Bosh era. While Jimmy Butler led them to the Finals during the bubble, they were outplayed by the Lakers.
Now, the Heat face a stern test against the Nuggets, and should they indeed take the series, they will be winning their fourth title in franchise history.
Statistically, The Heat Have Beaten The Nuggets Just Once In The Last Five Seasons
The Heat have not had the greatest of runs against the Nuggets. They only have one win to show for in their last 10 clashes. This season, they lost one at home and one away against Denver.
Where the Heat has the edge is with their postseason experience. Erik Spoelstra has seen the team in the Finals a few times and knows a thing or two about championship DNA and the pressure it comes with, as does Jimmy Butler who has been in prolific form so far this season.
Even Nuggets coach Mike Malone wasn’t underestimating the Heat. “As I told our team, forget the #8 seed stuff. They beat Milwaukee 4-1 and they had the most wins in the NBA this year,” he told the media ahead of the matchup.
“They beat Boston 4-3 and they were up 3-0, the team with the second most wins this year. When you get to the NBA Finals, it’s not about seeding anymore. And for those that are thinking this is going to be an easy series, I don’t even know what to say to you, people. This is going to be the biggest challenge of our lives. It’s the NBA Finals.”
Will the Heat make history as Butler stakes a claim for his first ring? Or is it the Nuggets’ time? Only time will tell.
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