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Daily NBA Fix 5-31-14: Miami Heat Entering Some Rarified Air

By Phil Watson

May 30, 2014; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat center Greg Oden (right) holds up the conference championship trophy after defeating the Indiana Pacers in game six of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
May 30, 2014; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat center Greg Oden (right) holds up the conference championship trophy after defeating the Indiana Pacers in game six of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 30, 2014; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat players Dwyane Wade (middle) and LeBron James (right) lead the bench in celebration during the second half in game six of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2014 NBA Playoffs against the Indiana Pacers at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
May 30, 2014; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat players Dwyane Wade (middle) and LeBron James (right) lead the bench in celebration during the second half in game six of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2014 NBA Playoffs against the Indiana Pacers at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

Welcome to the Daily NBA Fix for Saturday, May 31, the morning after the Miami Heat joined some elite company in the annals of the NBA.

The Heat pasted the Indiana Pacers Friday night 117-92 in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals to advance to the NBA Finals for the fourth consecutive year.

That puts them in some elite company—only the sport’s two most accomplished franchises, the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics—had ever accomplished the feat.

Most Consecutive NBA Finals Appearances
10: Celtics (1957-66)
4: Lakers (1982-85)
4: Celtics (1984-87)
4: Heat (2011-14)

Looking ahead, the Heat also have an opportunity to kick in the door to the NBA’s most exclusive fraternity—teams that have won three consecutive titles:

Minneapolis Lakers (1952-54)
Boston Celtics (1959-66, 8 straight)
Chicago Bulls (1991-93)
Chicago Bulls (1996-98)
Los Angeles Lakers (2000-02)

So as much as the infamous “Decision” was derided in July 2010 and mocked incessantly since, it appears Pat Riley and Micky Arizon are getting the last laugh. The Heat brought together LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh to become a contender and that’s exactly what they have done.

I mean, the group has been together for four years and they’ve gone to the Finals four times. Setting aside all of the unwinnable “who is the best at (insert arbitrary category or position name here)” arguments, it can’t be argued that the amalgamation that took its talent to South Beach four years ago has done almost exactly what it set out to do.

The Daily NBA Fix will focus on the happenings around the Association, along with a look at the daily lines for those who want to drop a buck or two on a wager. Here are some highlights from Friday’s action: