Heat, Panthers can make history with title wins
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Photos (left to right): Joel Auerbach/Getty Images; Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images
This is one of the most exciting chapters in South Florida sports history.
Why it matters: The Heat and the Panthers are both just four wins away from winning championships, meaning they could become the first pair of teams from the same metro area to win the NBA and NHL titles in the same season.
- They are both underdogs, but that hasn't stopped them from making it this far.
How to watch: The Heat play Game 1 of the NBA Finals against the Nuggets tomorrow at 8:30pm on ABC.
- The Panthers play Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final against the Golden Knights Saturday at 8pm on TNT, also on the road.
- Here are the full schedules for the Heat and Panthers.
Where to watch: The Heat are hosting road rallies at the Kaseya Center for Games 1 and 2.
- All tickets are general admission and cost $10.
- The Panthers are also hosting a watch party at FLA Live Arena on Saturday ($10.)
- You can also hit up sports bars like Grails, Bokampers, Mickey Byrne's or Mike's at Venetia.
Be smart: While watching the games this week, impress your friends with some fun facts:
🤯 The Heat were founded in 1988 but have now already reached seven NBA Finals.
- That's 20% of all seasons, Axios Sports' Kendall Baker writes.
- Team president Pat Riley has had an even wilder run: This will be his 19th NBA Finals appearance as a player, coach or executive — that's 24.7% of all NBA Finals!
🎤 Heat fans can thank rapper J Cole for bringing Caleb Martin to Miami.
- After the future playoffs star was waived by the Charlotte Hornets in 2021, Cole reached out to Heat assistant coach Caron Butler to inquire about a tryout.
🐀 Do you know why Panthers fans toss fake rats onto the ice after Florida wins?
- In 1995, Panther Scott Mellanby killed a rat in the locker room and later scored two goals with the same stick, a feat dubbed a "rat trick" by teammates.
Go deeper: Listen to the Axios Today podcast, where host Niala Boodhoo and Jeff Tracy talk about some of the challenges the Heat have had to overcome this season to reach the NBA Finals.