Man… that 2023 playoff run had the potential to be legendary.
🔥 First Round: Bucks (1) vs. Heat (8)
Miami pulled off one of the biggest upsets in recent NBA history — the 8th seed knocking off the top-seeded Bucks in 5 games. Jimmy Butler’s 56-point masterpiece in Game 4? Iconic. Giannis was hobbled, sure, but still — that wasn’t supposed to happen.
🗽 Second Round: Knicks (5)
The Knicks had a great season and a strong core, but Miami handled them in 6. It was physical and gritty, but the Heat’s playoff experience and Erik Spoelstra’s adjustments were too much.
☘️ Eastern Conference Finals: Celtics (2)
Miami went up 3–0, then nearly blew it — but closed it out in Game 7 in Boston. Caleb Martin turned into prime Kawhi, Jimmy was clutch, and the Heat showed crazy resilience.
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🏆 The One That Got Away: 2023 NBA Finals vs. Nuggets
That’s where it all came up short. Jokic and Murray were unstoppable, and Denver’s size + depth wore Miami down. Heat were banged up by that point, and their undrafted guys just couldn’t keep up.
So yeah — if they’d capped that off with a ring? That playoff run would’ve definitely gone down as one of the greatest ever. Beating the 1-seed, a surging Knicks team, and the Celtics again, then knocking off the best player in the league (Jokić)? Straight out of a 30 for 30.
