Kevin Love And Kyle Lowry’s Finals Experience Is Crucial For Miami Heat
The Miami Heat are going to their seventh NBA Finals in franchise history, making their second appearance since 2020.
Much of the Heat’s core remains from four years ago when they lost to the Los Angeles Lakers in six games. They need the championship pedigree from veterans Kevin Love and Kyle Lowry, who won as stars on their previous teams.
Love was a part of the Cleveland Cavaliers’ Big Three with LeBron James and Kyrie Irving, defeating the Golden State Warriors in a 2016 comeback. He dropped significantly in scoring but was credited for his defense down the stretch on 2016 MVP Steph Curry in Game 7. They lost in 2017 and 2018 after Golden State acquired superstar Kevin Durant. Still, Love was a solid contributor and James’ second-best teammate when Irving departed.
Lowry’s sole Finals appearance came with the Toronto Raptors in 2019. After years of playoff disappointment, the team finally defeated the Warriors in six. Golden State was without Durant, but that doesn’t take away Lowry’s performances. After missing the winning 3-pointer in Game 5, he dropped a team-leading 26 points to clinch the franchise’s first ring.
Love and Lowry aren’t the players they were but can still bring championship experience and intensity against the Denver Nuggets. They can provide sparks off the bench with Love’s efficient passing and Lowry’s improved 3-point shooting.
Jayden Armant is a contributor to Inside the Heat. He is a student at Howard University. He can be reached at jaydenshome14@gmail.com or follow him on Twitter @jaydenarmant.
