MANILA, Philippines—The Miami Heat will open as heavy underdogs against the

Denver Nuggets in the 2023 NBA Finals, which tip off on Friday (Manila time) in
Denver, Colorado.
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That’s been the case for the Heat all season long after barely making the playoffs as
the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference.

Just a month ago, the Heat were five minutes away from elimination against
the Chicago Bulls in the play-in tournament.
Hard to believe they’re now only four wins away from a seemingly improbable
championship run after finally putting away the Boston Celtics in Game 7 on the road
in a series where they were only given a three percent chance of winning.
The path to get to the NBA Finals, however, was a steep climb from where the Heat
began.
DEFYING ODDS
The Miami Heat pose with the Bob Cousy Trophy after defeating the Boston Celtics 103-84 in game seven of the Eastern
Conference Finals at TD Garden on May 29, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts. – Adam Glanzman/Getty Images/AFP

The Heat were also written off and counted out heading into their first round series
against the Milwaukee Bucks, who were the best team in the league and the consensus
favorite to win the title.
But the Heat couldn’t care any less about what the skeptics thought and what the
spread looked like.
“Playoff Jimmy” wasn’t a myth as Jimmy Butler’s herculean effort carried the
shorthanded Heat past the Bucks in five games.
READ: ‘Psychotic’ Jimmy Butler driving Heat in NBA playoffs
Miami became just the fifth eighth seed to advance to the second round after the
Denver Nuggets in 1994, New York Knicks in 1999, Golden State Warriors in 2007
and Memphis Grizzlies in 2011.
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Still, despite a historic upset, the Heat found themselves as the lesser pick in its rivalry
series with the New York Knicks, whom they knocked off in six.
The Heat made more history after fending off the No. 2 Celtics in the NBA Eastern
Conference Finals, becoming only the second-eighth seed to reach the Finals.
With the ultimate goal within reach, Miami certainly has no plans of slowing down.
“We don’t play just to win the Eastern Conference, We play to win the whole thing,”
said Butler.
PLAYOFF JIMMY

Jimmy Butler has been tearing it throughout 2023 NBA Playoffs. –SOURCE: STATSMUSE

Butler has been doing it all for the Heat, once again proving on the playoff stage that
he’s one of the best players in the league today.
The 33-year-old forward is averaging 28.5 points, 7.0 rebounds and 5.7 assists
through 17 games in the postseason, which included a 56-point masterpiece in Game 4
against the Bucks.
With Butler at the forefront, the Heat booked their second NBA Finals berth in four
years despite losing two key cogs in Tyler Herro and Victor Oladipo to injuries in the
first round. Butler and the Heat lost to the Los Angeles Lakers back in the 2020 NBA
Finals in the bubble.
READ: NBA: Jimmy Butler is Miami Heat’s man for ‘moments of truth’
In Game 7 against the Celtics, Butler had a game-high 28 points, seven rebounds and
six assists.
“You have to have a guy that you can hold on to, particularly in those moments of
truth. I’ve said this before, there’s no way to quantify the confidence that he (Butler)
can instill in everybody,” coach Erik Spoelstra said.
“And you know, Jimmy has never had to apologize. I don’t want him to ever
apologize for who he is and how he approaches competition. It’s intense. It’s not for
everybody, and we’re not for everybody. That’s why we think it’s like an incredible
marriage. We never judge him on that. He doesn’t judge us for how crazy we get. It’s
the same language. But the confidence level that he can create for everybody on the
roster is incredible,” Spoelstra added.
Not bad for someone taken last in the first round of the draft in 2011.
THE UNDRAFTED CREW

Miami Heat’s supporting cast led by their undrafted players has fueled their 2023 NBA Playoffs drive.

But as brilliant as Butler has been, the Heat won’t come this far without their
supporting cast, four of whom went undrafted and are a product of Heat culture.
Unheralded players in Caleb Martin and Gabe Vincent have been the biggest
revelations amid the Heat’s Cinderella campaign while Max Strus and Duncan
Robinson have also had their moments.
Martin was waived by the Charlotte Hornets in August 2021 before getting picked up
by the Heat a month later on a two-way contract. In July 2022, Martin earned a three-
year, $20 million deal and he’s been showing his worth in these playoffs.
“That might have surprised ya’ll. To the untrained eye, he just looks like he’s an
undrafted guy who’s been in the G League, who started in Charlotte and now he’s
here. Started on a two-way contract. To ya’ll that’s what it looks like. To us, he’s a
hell of a player, hell of a defender, playmaker, shotmaker, all of the above,” said
Butler of Martin.
“Everybody’s seen Caleb work on those shots day in and day out. It doesn’t surprise
us. We’ve seen it every single day and I’m so proud and happy for him and he’s going
to be even better in this next round and I don’t think he’s going to be a surprise to
anybody else any longer.”

Miami Heat forward Caleb Martin (16) controls the ball against Boston Celtics center Al Horford (42) in the second quarter
during game seven of the Eastern Conference Finals for the 2023 NBA playoffs at TD Garden. –David Butler II-USA TODAY
Sports

The 6-foot-5 forward erupted for a playoff career-high 26 points on 11-of-16 shooting
from the field that helped set the tone for Miami in Game 7 against Boston. He came
just a vote short of taking home the NBA Eastern Conference Finals MVP plum.
“It’s been amazing. If you’re a real competitor, and it’s in your soul, and that’s what
Caleb is, he’s a competitor. You get to the higher stakes, the further you get along, the
more competitors are going to reveal themselves,” Spoelstra said.
“Game 7s, or get to the Conference Finals, it’s not for everybody in this association.
Otherwise more players, more teams would do it. You have to be wired a little bit
differently, and Caleb is. He’s pure. He competes on both ends. Lays it all out there
for everybody to see. He’s accepted different roles.”
Vincent, who spent most of his time in the G League before signing with the Heat, has
also shown he’s built for the bright lights.
Read more: https://sports.inquirer.net/512380/miami-heat-anatomy-of-an-
underdog#ixzz83N4bKFi4
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