Heat’s Caleb Martin close to 100% after cold chills, migraine in NBA Finals

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MIAMI – Heat swingman Caleb Martin is feeling closer to 100% after dealing with cold chills, body aches and a “heavy, heavy migraine” during the first two games against the Denver Nuggets in the NBA Finals.

“I am feeling better now – definitely a lot better,” Martin said Tuesday ahead of Wednesday’s Game 3 at Kaseya Center, with the series tied 1-1.

“I feel like I’ve almost got it out of my system, so definitely feeling a lot better than I did the last two games … Just a couple of these meds and I’ll be alright.”

Martin was a playoff breakthrough for the Heat during the Eastern Conference final, averaging 19.3 points on 60 percent shooting, including a 26-point effort during Game 7 against the Boston Celtics to propel Miami to its seventh NBA Finals.

Miami Heat forward Caleb Martin controls the ball against the Denver Nuggets in the second half in Game 2 of the NBA Finals.

But during the first two games against the Nuggets in Denver, Martin has been a shell of that player, scoring a total of six points on two made shots.

Despite his symptoms, Martin made two crucial plays during Game 2 to help the Heat tie the series.

Martin was able to hit a stepback 3-pointer in the corner in the fourth quarter, and he pulled down the game-ending rebound following Jamal Murray’s missed 3-pointer over Heat star Jimmy Butler.

“Anywhere I can contribute, you know what I mean, and impact the game, I’m going to do it,” Martin said.

“I might not have really been too effective offensively in the game, but at a time I needed to knock one down, I did it.”

Martin has no issue playing whatever role is necessary to help the Heat win.

Whether he returns to help as a 20-point scorer or stout defender and rebounder remains to be seen.

Martin believes his defensive prowess suits him best in a series against Murray and Nuggets two-time league MVP Nikola Jokić. Martin has nine total rebounds, with a block and steal in each game during the Finals.

“This is definitely more of a series that they’ve got two of the best players and scorers in the league right now, so this is definitely a defensive series for me to lock in, and…

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Author : USA TODAY Sports

Publish date : 2023-06-06 19:19:14

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