Heat must fight back in Game 4 to avoid NBA Finals knockout

The Heat got bullied into a 2-1 hole in the NBA Finals and now have to try to dig out before they get buried for good.

Why it matters: If the Nuggets beat the Heat Friday night at the Kaseya Center, they return to Denver Monday for a chance to win their first-ever championship in front of their home crowd.

• Game 6 would be back in Miami.

The intrigue: While teams that win Game 3 of a 1-1 finals go on to win 80% of the time, four teams in the last 12 years have rallied back from a 2-1 deficit to become champions — including the 2013 Heat, per The Athletic.

Keys to success: Denver has had the two best players in this series: Nikola Jokić and Jamal Murray, who combine to form a deadly inside-out offensive attack. They became the first teammates in finals history to both record triple-doubles in Game 3.

• Jimmy Butler, who looks hobbled after spraining his ankle a few weeks ago, has lost his playoff magic after going Super Saiyan earlier in these playoffs, and Bam Adebayo hasn't been a reliable scorer — but they have done enough to keep Miami competitive.
• Miami's role players, who were rightfully hyped up through the playoffs by the media, need to step up and shoulder some of the load.

The bottom line: The Heat aren't as good on paper as the Nuggets, but that's been the case all playoffs long.

• Miami likes to win ugly games with toughness and clutch scoring late. They just need to find their fight tonight.

💭 Martin's thought bubble: Don't put 43-year-old Udonis Haslem in for garbage time in a blowout. Give him a couple minutes in the first half to grab a loose ball and take a hard foul to inspire this team again.

Meanwhile, the Panthers showed some fight last night, winning their first game of the Stanley Cup Final, 3-2 in overtime, against the Vegas Golden Knights.

• Florida is down 2-1 in the series with Game 4 back at FLA Live Arena in Sunrise tomorrow night.