Imagine being on the brink of history but not in the way you hoped. This is the situation facing the Miami Heat as they head into Game 7 of the N.B.A. Eastern Conference finals against the Boston Celtics. After taking a commanding 3-0 series lead, the Heat have suffered three straight losses, including a heartbreaking defeat in Game 6 at home.
The stakes are high, as no N.B.A. team has ever blown a 3-0 series lead since the league’s inception in 1947. Will the Heat be able to reverse their fortunes and avoid historical ignominy?
While such collapses are rare, they do happen in the world of sports. One of the most famous instances occurred in 2004 when the Boston Red Sox staged an epic comeback against the New York Yankees in the American League Championship Series after trailing 3-0. The Red Sox went on to make history, defying the Curse of the Bambino and securing their spot in baseball lore.
In the realm of baseball, there have been other close calls with 3-0 series leads, such as the Tampa Bay Rays in the 2020 A.L.C.S. and the Nishitetsu Lions in the Japan Series. These moments serve as a reminder that no lead is ever truly safe in the world of sports.
Baseball
The heartbreak of a four-game collapse has also been felt in the N.H.L., with teams like the Detroit Red Wings and Toronto Maple Leafs involved in historic comebacks. In the realm of basketball, while no N.B.A. team has lost a series after leading 3-0, close calls have occurred, such as the Rochester Royals’ near miss in the 1951 finals.
Basketball
As the Heat prepare for Game 7, they will be hoping to avoid the fate of teams like the Alaska Aces in the 2016 Philippine Cup final, who squandered a 3-0 series lead to the San Miguel Beermen. Will the Heat be able to rewrite their story and secure their spot in history?
