ESPN’s JJ Redick Saw Resilience In The Miami Heat’s Game 2 Victory Against The Denver Nuggets

JJ Redick says the Miami Heat’s toughness against the Denver Nuggets goes back to the “Heat Culture”

The Miami Heat’s persistence and determination to defy the odds is something they take seriously.

When they struggled in the regular season, pundits wrote them off. When they lost to the Boston Celtics in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals, they were the underdogs to advance.

Now, the Heat are in the NBA Finals, heading to Miami for a huge Game 3 against the Denver Nuggets.

On Monday, ESPN’s First Take host JJ Redick discussed the Heat’s confidence in Game 2 that led to tying the series at 1.

“We use the word ‘physicality’. The word that comes to mind, for me, is ‘resiliency’,” Redick said. “And I think throughout this game there were moments of resiliency for the Miami Heat. It started at the beginning of the game. Perk, you talked about Max Strus’ Game 1 shooting performance. He came out in the first quarter, got the Miami Heat the lead. Hit four threes, that shows resiliency.”

"The word that comes to mind for me is resiliency [for the Miami Heat]. ... Heat culture, it is a very real thing. There is a mental toughness and a mental fortitude with this team."

—@jj_redick pic.twitter.com/UJAmxJdYn1

— First Take (@FirstTake) June 5, 2023

The Nuggets led entering the fourth quarter, but the Heat’s kept it close. Duncan Robinson scored 10 points including the layup that gave them the lead for good.

“They come out in the second half, it’s a close game,” Redick said. “Jokic goes nuts. They’re in the third quarter, they’re down eight to start the fourth. And again, it’s the bench unit showing that resiliency to get them back in the game and get them the lead. And I think it speaks to the word you both used; Heat Culture. It is a very real thing. There is a mental toughness and a mental fortitude with this team."

Cory Nelson is a contributor to Inside The Heat. He attended Northern Virginia Community College. He can be reached at corymckenzienelson@hotmail.com or follow him on Twitter @CKenzyNelson. You can also check out his personal blog HERE.