Goran Dragic

Propelled to NBA Finals by Pat Riley's Heat Culture, Miami stand between victory and misery

Not many would have predicted the Miami Heat making it to the NBA Finals. How did they do it? Heat Culture.

NBA: Miami Heat topple Boston Celtics in Eastern Conference Finals to earn finals spot against LA Lakers

The Heat are the only NBA franchise with six Finals appearances in the last 15 years. They’re seeking their fourth title, and this chance didn’t come easily.

NBA: Boston Celtics control second half, top Miami Heat to win Game 5 in East finals

Tatum had 31 points and 10 rebounds, Jaylen Brown added 28 points and the Celtics shook off a slow first half to top the Miami Heat 121-108 in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference finals and stave off elimination.

NBA: Tyler Herro, 20, helps Miami Heat top Boston Celtics, move a game from NBA Finals

Tyler Herro scored a Miami Heat rookie-record 37 points and the Heat beat the Boston Celtics 112-109 in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference finals.

NBA: Comeback Miami Heat do it again, rally past Boston Celtics to take 2-0 series lead

Goran Dragic scored 25 points, Bam Adebayo led a big third-quarter rally to finish with 21, and the Heat pulled off another comeback to beat the Celtics 106-101 and take a 2-0 lead in the Eastern Conference finals.

NBA Playoffs: Heat oust top-seed Bucks to reach Eastern Conference finals; Lakers down Rockets

Jimmy Butler and Goran Dragic scored 17 points apiece as six players scored in double figures and Miami Heat completed a 4-1 series victory in a bruising encounter against the league's top defensive team.

NBA: Giannis Antetokounmpo helps Milwaukee Bucks beat Miami Heat, clinch top seed in Eastern Conference

The Bucks, who won their only NBA title in 1971, could face Miami in the second round of the playoffs with Toronto, Boston, Indiana and Philadelphia threats as well. But Milwaukee's star forward sees the Bucks' main worry as playing to their potential.

NBA: Jimmy Butler scores season-high 38 points as Heat thrash 76ers; Kristaps Porzingis powers Mavericks to victory

Goran Dragic scored 24 points for Miami, Duncan Robinson had 19 and All-Star Bam Adebayo finished with 18 points, 11 assists and eight rebounds for the Heat

NBA: Damian Lillard sets Trail Blazers record with 61 points; Kemba Walker powers Celtics to win over Lakers

Kemba Walker scored 20 points to end a career-long personal losing streak against LeBron James, and Jayson Tatum scored 27 to help Boston send the top team in the Western Conference to its biggest loss of the season

NBA: James Harden, Trae Young score 40-point triple doubles as Rockets beat Hawks; DeMar DeRozan powers Spurs to victory

Young had 42 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists. He and Harden are the first players to post 40-point triple-doubles in the same game, according to the Elias Sports Bureau