HEAT CHECK: Is Miami the Gateway to NBA Greatness? 4 of Last 5 Champs Had to Beat the Heat to Claim the Throne
Over the last five seasons, an unexpected trend has emerged — if you’re destined to win an NBA championship, chances are you’ve got to go through the Miami Heat first. It’s not just a coincidence anymore; it’s becoming a rite of passage.
From the 2020 Lakers led by LeBron James and Anthony Davis in the bubble to the 2021 Milwaukee Bucks, who overcame Miami en route to Giannis’ crowning moment, the pattern began. While the 2022 Celtics fell short in the Finals against Golden State, they were the only recent team to escape the Heat and not walk away with the Larry O’Brien trophy.
Then came the 2023 Denver Nuggets, who bulldozed through Miami in the Finals behind Nikola Jokic’s historic run. And in 2024, the Celtics finally climbed the mountaintop — and yes, they had to push past Jimmy Butler and company to do it.
Now, with the Cleveland Cavaliers eyeing a deep playoff push in 2025, the Heat are once again part of the narrative. Miami may not be winning titles themselves lately, but they’re clearly the proving ground for greatness.
What does this mean? The Heat are still one of the toughest, most mentally resilient teams in the league. They don’t hand out easy wins, and beating them requires grit, depth, and often, superstar performances. That’s why so many champions earn their stripes against Miami.
So if the Cavs do go all the way this year, history will have repeated itself — once again, the road to glory will have run through South Beach. And if you’re an NBA team with title hopes, it might be time to prepare for the Heat test.
