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The Nuggets and Heat are up 2-0, what now?

By Leocciano Callao

Nov 8, 2021; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) looks to pass the ball as Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (22) guards in the first quarter at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 8, 2021; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) looks to pass the ball as Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (22) guards in the first quarter at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /
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BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – MAY 19: Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Heat speaks with Bam Adebayo #13 of the Miami Heat during the fourth quarter against the Boston Celtics in game two of the Eastern Conference Finals at TD Garden on May 19, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – MAY 19: Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Heat speaks with Bam Adebayo #13 of the Miami Heat during the fourth quarter against the Boston Celtics in game two of the Eastern Conference Finals at TD Garden on May 19, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images) /

Miami heads home with the lead

HIMmy Butler, Playoff Jimmy, Jimmy Buckets. Whatever you want to call him does not matter–Jimmy Butler III is him.

Like the Lakers, the Heat clawed their way out of the Play-In. They latched on to the eighth seed to keep their season alive. They dished out a gentleman’s sweep to the highly favored Milwaukee Bucks before a six-chapter soap opera with the New York Knicks to advance. Butler’s efforts have paid off greatly and his team has been reciprocating.

Veterans Kyle Lowry and Kevin Love have proven themselves as worthwhile acquisitions. Without Tyler Hero, Gabe Vincent and Max Strus have been spot-on from behind the arc. Bam Adebayo has blossomed into the perfect second-in-command to Butler since their last Finals appearance in 2020.

This Heat team’s run is already gaining comparisons to the Dallas Mavericks team that won against LeBron’s Miami team in 2011. On the other hand, this rendition of the Heat has all the makings of the teams that brought championships to South Beach in 2012 and 2013. Veteran stars with a lot to prove, disciplined role players, and Erik Spoelstra running the board. But first, they have to take care of the Boston Celtics.

Despite the 2-0 lead, the Heat remains underdogs with a 35% chance of advancing, via ESPN Analytics.

Next. Why defeating Nikola Jokic is LeBron’s toughest challenge. dark

Unlike the Nuggets, the Heat have the luxury of taking their opponents to their arena with the lead. Butler and Adebayo have the opportunity to take Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown to enemy territory and try to close the series.