Dwyane Wade On Heat Vs Hornets Game 7: ‘At This Point In My Career, I Play For These Moments’
NBA star Dwyane Wade is apparently ready for battle as the Miami Heat prepare to face the Charlotte Hornets in Game 7 on Sunday.
The Palm Beach Post reports that Wade had made it clear that he is eagerly anticipating Game 7.
“You have to love what Game 7 is. At this point in my career, I play for these moments. Game 7 is the best feeling to be a part of, and it’s gonna be a tough one.”
Going against Kemba Walker and the Charlotte Hornets roster has definitely taken its toll on the Miami Heat during this first round of the NBA Playoffs. The fact that there is a need for a Game 7 at all speaks volumes about the intense battle that these teams have undergone in recent weeks.
Your @MiamiHEAT even the series 3-3 with tonight’s 97-90 Game 6 victory over the Charlotte Hornets! pic.twitter.com/OjUmjObmtV
— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) April 30, 2016
According to Wade, the beauty of having home court advantage for Game 7 is greatly appreciated primarily because of the effect that it has on the team during big games.
“I’m glad that we have it on our home floor, and I hope our crowd is ready to give us the extra boost and extra energy.”
The Miami Heat shooting guard played a vital role in saving his team from elimination during Game 6. Within his impressive 37 minutes of playing time, the 34-year-old star player scored 23 points.
According to the Palm Beach Post, Dwyane scored 13 points in the first half of the game but fired off his final 10 points within the fourth quarter alone.
Win or go home mentality for the Heat as they lead the Hornets 59-50 at the half in Game 6 pic.twitter.com/yUCvVMh4kj
— Bleacher Report NBA (@BR_NBA) April 30, 2016
That epic shootout was mainly because of the two 3-pointers that he nailed within the final minutes, a shot that he has not been able to make successfully since mid-December.
Wade didn’t just contribute as a scorer, though. He did big things for his team at both ends of the court.According to Rotowire, Dwayne Wade grabbed three rebounds, blocked three shots and stole two possessions from the Charlotte Hornets throughout the game. He also assisted his teammates score on four different plays.
The first round of the NBA Playoffs has definitely been filled with ups and downs for the Miami Heat. After the Hornets sealed their first playoff win in 14 years during Game 3, the Miami Heat were faced with a wake-up call of sorts. It was crystal clear to the team’s fans, critics and players that the Charlotte Hornets were not going to fade away easily and allow the Heat to advance in the playoffs without surviving an epic battle.
Dwyane Wade explains his fantastic finish to Game 6 against the Hornets. #NBAPlayoffs https://t.co/Rk2VKG6L1q
— NBA TV (@NBATV) April 30, 2016
Dwyane Wade started his NBA journey nearly 13 years ago. The Miami Heat selected Wade with the fifth overall pick in the 2003 NBA Draft. Wade enjoyed his first championship title after working alongside Shaquille O’Neal in the 2006 NBA Finals against the Dallas Mavericks.
Safe to say Dwyane Wade stepped it up in the 2006 NBA FINALS.
?? 34.7 PPG
?? #StillBalling pic.twitter.com/55Na7BkAhA— FanDuel (@FanDuel) April 30, 2016
So if Wade has a 2006 NBA finals all time performance in game 6 and forces a game 7 and the then they win y’all can get off his case then
— Zack Da GOAT (@OfficialZJ24) April 28, 2016
As part of the “Big Three” alongside LeBron James and Chris Bosh, Wade added two more championship titles to his career total in 2012 and 2013.
In addition to his championship titles, Dwyane Wade is also a 12-time NBA All-Star, the 2009 NBA scoring champion, and the all-time leading scorer for the Miami Heat along with a vast number of other accolades and accomplishments. Most Miami heat fans and critics know that whether the Heat win Game 7 or not will more than likely depend yet again on Dwyane Wade’s performance. Wade has proven time and time again, though, that he can handle the pressure.
[Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images]